Season 2024: Sam Gooding joins the Panthers Wrocław staff

Panthers Wrocław are completing their coaching staff for the 2024 season. Joining the team led by Dave Christensen is another American, Sam Gooding, who will take on the role of offensive line coach.

Sam Gooding is the first new addition to the coaching staff of Panthers Wrocław in preparation for the upcoming season. He is a highly experienced coach, with a background that includes working as an assistant offensive line coach at the University of Wyoming and as an offensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Minnesota-Crookston, and Dakota State.

Why did you choose the Panthers?

Sam Gooding: The Panthers have built a reputation in Europe as a very well-run organization, as I have heard from friends working in other leagues throughout Europe. Coach Christensen also has an excellent reputation as a coach in the U.S. and is a widely renowned offensive line coach, so the opportunity to work with him, as an offensive line coach, is extremely appealing. There is also familiarity with the staff, having worked with Coach Keeler at Wyoming. I am excited to work with the rest of the staff and build on the success that the Panthers had last year by making the playoffs. I think the franchise is certainly on the right track and is building something special in Wrocław.

What do you know so far about the Panthers players and the offense we run?

I am still getting acquainted with both personnel and the offense, but I have discussed both with Coach Landa and will continue to familiarize myself with both. From my initial impressions, there are certainly some excellent building blocks on the offensive line and another couple of players with potential that needs to be unlocked. Offensively, I can see the influence from certain offenses in the coaches’ backgrounds. It is a type of system with which I am familiar and I expect the transition to be smooth.

What are your goals in Europe?

I am excited about the opportunity to help grow the game in Europe. Obviously it is extremely popular in the U.S. and has shaped my life in a positive way, so this is a chance to give others that experience and increase the reach of the game in the region. My main goals are to help grow the game and give opportunities to people who love the game the way I do, so that it can positively impact their lives as well.

Why players should consider playing for the Panthers? What will you bring to the game?

Not only is this a great organization, but I believe the coaching staff will be able to get the most out of every player that takes the field for the Panthers in 2024. On the offensive line, we will develop homegrown players who can make an impact on the field along with talented imports, and we will develop them to their full potential. We are going to develop players at an extremely high level and hopefully that will provide them with opportunities that they would not have had otherwise. I aim to unlock the potential of each of our players on the offensive line through training and preparation, and to put them in the best positions to succeed.

Say a couple words to the fans and the city of Wrocław about what can we expect from our offense in 2024.

For my unit, I want the offensive line to be steady and reliable. The entire
offense should be able to lean on the offensive line. Everyone wants an explosive offense, but it begins with efficiency, and the offensive line is key in that. With a dependable offensive line, it gives the skill players the opportunity to use their athleticism and create explosive plays. I want it to be apparent on film that we have one of the most efficient and well-coached offenses in the league, and that begins with us on the offensive line. I am extremely excited to get to work in Wrocław and see the great support that I have heard about, and we will not leave the fans disappointed.