Troy Tomlin joins the coaching staff for the 2026 season!

Troy Tomlin, one of the most accomplished American football coaches in Europe, is joining the Panthers Wrocław coaching staff for the 2026 season. He will serve as assistant head coach and offensive line coach.

Tomlin is an experienced coach who built his reputation in Germany over many years. From 2013 onward, he continuously held the position of head coach of the New Yorker Lions. During that time, he won five German Championships and four Eurobowl titles with the club, leaving the organization as the architect of the Lions’ dominance. His 30-year coaching career includes an impressive 295 wins and just 72 losses.

For more than a decade you were the head coach of the New Yorker Lions, winning numerous championships. What motivated you to take on the role of assistant head coach and offensive line coach with Panthers Wrocław?

Well, when Coach Likins told me he would become the head coach in Wrocław, I knew I wanted to be part of this great organization. Dave and I have worked together for years and achieved a lot of success together. It was an easy decision for me. I’m looking forward to this new challenge.

What does the role of an assistant head coach entail in American football?

An assistant head coach is there to support the head coach in achieving the overall success of the team. That includes player development, organizing practices, analyzing opponents, and planning game strategy. I am dedicated to the Panthers organization and will work toward achieving our goals.

What will be your main coaching philosophy for the offensive line?

My main coaching philosophy is to work with players to help them reach their maximum potential. We want a disciplined, organized, and hard-working team. We want the group to work, play, and support each other as one complete unit!

You’ve arrived in Wrocław together with Dave Likins, your former defensive coordinator in Germany, who is now taking over as head coach. What benefits (and potential challenges) do you see in this role reversal, and how will it affect the coaching staff’s dynamics?

The role reversal is not a problem for us. We communicate every day and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. He is my colleague and friend. I’m excited to work with him in a supporting role.

Your accomplishments with the New Yorker Lions are historic. What key lessons from over a decade of building a winning culture and program do you plan to bring to Wrocław?

The most important thing for me is that we play together as one team. That everyone shares one common goal: the success of the entire unit. When we play and work together as a team, that’s the path to success.

What type of mentality and work ethic must an offensive lineman have to succeed under your leadership? What are the three most important qualities you will look for in your players?

To be successful, an offensive lineman must have five qualities: intelligence, toughness, work ethic, good character, and athletic ability. A team of five players who possess all these traits will be hard to beat.

What is your specific goal for the Panthers Wrocław offensive line this upcoming season, aside from the obvious “winning”? What will be the indicator that tells you this year’s work was a success?

Usually, the team that controls the line of scrimmage wins. We must be able to run the ball and protect the quarterback. The offense goes where the offensive line leads it. These players are selfless and rarely recognized, but they are crucial to our overall success.

What is your ideal offensive style—should it be more run-focused or pass-focused—and how is the offensive line a fundamental element of that scheme?

I believe our offensive style has to fit our personnel. During our Championships from 2013–2016, we ran a spread offense with multiple receivers. In 2019, we ran a power offense with two tight ends. Ultimately, we have to be able to run the ball and control the clock.

Considering your long career in Germany, did you have any previous contact with Polish culture or the opportunity to visit Wrocław? What did you know about our country and city before signing with the Panthers?

My first visit to Wrocław, during which I toured the Panthers facilities, was a week ago. I was extremely impressed with how well this organization is run. I immediately fell in love with the city during my visit—from the great food to the beautiful architecture and artistic history. I can’t wait to call Wrocław my home!

Thus, Troy Tomlin joins the Panthers Wrocław coaching staff for the 2026 season. He joins head coach Dave Likins and defensive backs coach Bryant Foster.