Łukasz Kołodziejczyk for another year on the Panthers Wrocław coaching staff!

Łukasz Kołodziejczyk is staying in Wrocław for the upcoming season. This time, he will be responsible exclusively for the running backs unit.

Łukasz is an incredibly experienced Polish coach. In the past, he has coached teams such as the Green Ducks Radom, Tytani Lublin, Düsseldorf Panthers, and Warsaw Mets. He joined our organization last year, overseeing special teams, running backs, and strength and conditioning. In the forthcoming season, he will take on a more specialized role, focusing entirely on working with the ball carriers.

What made you decide to join the Panthers Wrocław coaching staff for the 2026 season?

Above all, the desire to compete at the highest level of football in Europe. Besides, I really enjoyed working and living in Wrocław last season, hence the decision to stay.

Why running backs specifically? What influenced the decision to coach players at this particular position?

I have been involved in RB coaching since the very beginning of my coaching journey. It’s quite natural, as I played the position myself.

What three traits are absolutely non-negotiable for you when evaluating a running back's potential?

When evaluating a running back's potential, I look for athleticism (strength, speed, agility), intelligence, and commitment to the training process.

Which NFL player (past or present) should your players look up to as a role model?

I think there are many great RBs in the NFL, and we should emulate the best elements of various players. I was, and still am, impressed by a certain period in the history of the University of Alabama, which produced several excellent players such as Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Derrick Henry, Eddie Lacy, and T.J. Yeldon. In each of their games, you could see the same fundamentals and techniques, which proved a refined and repeatable training scheme.

How does it feel to take the reins of a unit that includes Dawid Brzozowski – one of the best running backs in Europe? Does the presence of such a player make your job easier, or does it raise the bar of expectations?

It both makes the job easier and raises the bar. Dawid is a great player, but he is also an excellent student of the game. He knows his value, but he also sees the flaws in his game and is very committed to correcting them. That is the ideal approach to the training process for any athlete. Let’s also not forget our other backs: Kamil Kotlarz, Bartosz Woch, and last season, Tomek Kempka. They are developing brilliantly and, most importantly, they strive for perfection. Our goal is to maintain the highest quality of play regardless of which of our runners is on the field.

What will be your main focus during preseason practices?

Fundamentals are crucial: ball security, blocking technique, cuts, acceleration, catching, reading the game, and playbook execution. These are the most important elements that we practice all year round, whether it’s March or August.

In modern football, an RB is not just a runner but also a dangerous weapon in the passing game. How important will "catching out of the backfield" be in the playbook?

Indeed, nowadays RBs must catch the ball. An RB is often the least-covered player in the offense, which provides many opportunities for positive yardage. Our new OC, Coach Tomlin, will certainly utilize our unit to its full potential.

What can fans expect from the Panthers' run game in the coming season? What will be the "trademark" of your running backs?

Positive yardage, first downs, no fumbles. We want the OC to be confident that when he hands the ball to the backs, he can count on first downs or solid yardage gains.