Sea Devils hire new Defensive Coordinator
ELF
The Hamburg Sea Devils have found an experienced successor for their former Defensive Coordinator Ray Woodward: Bob Valesente, an internationally recognized football veteran, will take over responsibility for the Hamburg team's defense with immediate effect.
Valesente brings over 35 years of coaching experience with him - including stints as an assistant coach in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Colts and Carolina Panthers. The 84-year-old has also left his mark internationally: As defensive coordinator, he led the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe, won the 2010 German Bowl with the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes and took the World Games title with the French national team in 2017.
"His experience is an asset for the entire organization"
"With Robert Valesente, we are gaining an absolutely exceptional coach who has impressively proven both in the USA and in Europe that he can shape and develop teams," says Mark Weitz, Managing Director of the Hamburg Sea Devils. "His experience and personality are an asset to the entire organization."
For Valesente himself, the move to Hamburg is far more than just another chapter in his long career: "Football is my passion. I love the challenge of developing talent, shaping teams and competing at the highest level," he explains. "It's a great privilege for me to take on this role at my age - and I will do everything I can to be successful with the Sea Devils."
Valesente will make his debut on the Sea Devils' sideline this Saturday in the away game against the Prague Lions. The first big home game will follow on May 31 in Bremen against Stuttgart Surge.