Jeb Rice joins Panthers Wrocław. A new chapter for quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Jeb Rice has been named the new coach for the Panthers Wrocław. In the coaching staff of the team competing in the European AFLE league, the American will be responsible for developing quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Rice honed his craft in the prestigious NCAA Division I, gaining experience at the University of South Alabama and Wake Forest University. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with such authorities as Major Applewhite and Michael Smith, allowing him to acquire comprehensive knowledge in leading both receivers and signal-callers.

What particularly sets Coach Rice apart is his experience at Quarterback Country - one of the premier training centers in the United States. Under the tutelage of David Morris, he trained athletes at every level of play: from talented youth to NFL players. It was there that he developed an extraordinary attention to detail, especially regarding throwing mechanics and footwork, which he considers the foundation of any quarterback's confidence.

What was it about the project in Wrocław and Coach Dave Likins’ vision that convinced you the most to continue your coaching career here in Poland?

After talking to Coach Likins he talked to me about his coaching history and his prior success over many of years. He then explained to me how invested the community of Wroclaw was in the future success of the Panthers. He also told me about the talent that was on the roster, and when looking at these 3 things. I thought to myself this seems like a place that not only can you win football games, but you can enjoy your life during the time as well.

You’ve spent years working in the NCAA system, where players have football "in their blood" from a young age. How do you plan to adapt your communication and teaching style for European players, who often pick up the game much later in life?

I believe that teaching football can be complex no matter where you coach at! The players in the Southern United States learn differently than people in the Northern part. Same as big cities and small small country towns. I think it is our job as coaches to take a step back; observe and learn our players and mold our teaching style to what helps them the most.

You have experience coaching both Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks. How does this dual perspective help you explain to receivers exactly what a QB is looking for from them on any given play?

Teaching Receivers the purpose of the plays is one of the most important parts of the position. Helping them understand why they are doing what they are doing. They will begin to take pride in their individual roles! This will also help them understand what the Quarterback is expecting and how that makes things easier for him!

It’s often said that a QB and WR need to be "on the same wavelength." What specific drills or methods do you use to build that almost telepathic connection during a relatively short preseason?

One massive thing that I believe helps QBs and WRs is consistent Routes on Air. Throwing the ball to each other each day and working on timing and spacing. Getting comfortable with each persons speed and route running! Each player is different and the more they throw to each other, the more the QBs understand the differences in each WR. They begin to synchronize without noticing it and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.

At QB Country, you worked with athletes ranging from middle school to the NFL. What is the most common mechanical flaw you see in quarterbacks, and how do you plan to address it with the Panthers’ signal-callers?

The lower body is something under coached in QBs in today’s game. Specifically a QBs footwork! An older coach once told me, “if you watch a Quarterbacks feet, you can immediately tell how confident he is in what he’s doing.” I took that and begin to watch what he was taking about and it was amazing. There are specific drills I plan to use to help the QBs here, it just takes time and confidence.

What is the single most important thing you want to improve in the performance of our QBs and WRs before the first kickoff of the season?

The most important thing, I believe that will be imperative to achieve before the season starts with QBs and WRs is confidence. If you know what you are doing and trust the other players around you will do the same; big plays will happen naturally. Being confident will allow them to plays fast and free together. Trust their training and God given abilities! If we can get that done we will be a success group of skill players!