Coaches
Max Zimmermann
Max is what you would consider a local legend. He began his playing career here in Berlin with the Berlin Adler U19 team in 2013. He quickly fell in love with football and decided to devote himself to the game. Mentored under local WR coach Johnny Schmuck, Max rapidly elevated his skills and instantly became a threat on the Adler men's team after he finished youth football. At that time the Adler were playing in the highest league in Europe, the GFL 1 North, and in 2014 were Eurobowl Champions.
In 2018, he decided to sign with the Potsdam Royals and continued to terrorize defenses with his speed, toughness, and tenacity. That year they defeated the Milano Seamen in a shoot-out to become the 2018 EFL Champions.
In 2019, he was selected 6th over-all by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League. This accomplishment was unheard of at that time. To have only played football in Germany and then get selected by a team in the CFL was unthinkable. Due to his work ethic, dedication and skills he was able to attract the attention from recruiters for the best league in the world outside of the United States.
Zachary Cavanaugh
Zachary began his football journey 26 years ago in Marshfield Massachusetts, USA. After high school, he attended Central Connecticut State University (Div 1 FCS) for three seasons where he was mentored under passing guru and current WR coach at The University of Miami, Rob Likens. After 3 years, Zachary transferred to Curry College (Div 3) where he won the starting job and finished out his college career.
Zachary has spent the last 9 seasons playing professionally in Europe. Mostly in the GFL (German Football League) but also in the AFL (Austrian Football League) where in 2018 he led the league in passing yards and was named the AFL Offensive Player of the Year.
After the 2018 season, Zachary moved to Berlin to be with his wife and to play for the Berlin Adler. In 2019, he helped lead the Adler to a league championship and a promotion back to the GFL. Currently, he is the Quarterback for the Adler GFL team and the Head Coach of the Adler GFL Junior team (U19) in Berlin.
Johnny Schmuck
Johnny is also no stranger to Berlin football. As a youth player he won a GFLJ Bowl championship with the Berlin Rebels in 2000 and also played overseas on Team Europe against some of the world's top talent.
In 2001 he transitioned to the Berlin Adler to play wide receiver and in 2009 they were German Bowl champions. In 2010, Johnny began his coaching career for the Adler. He was mentored under European legend, Shuan Fatah. He coached the wide receivers that year and the Adler were Eurobowl champions. By 2014 Johnny was promoted to Offensive Coordinator and the Adler once again won a Eurobowl.
Throughout the year's Johnny began to work very closely with Max Zimmermann and became his personal coach. His knowledge and ability to coach is what helped Max to develop into the player he is today.