FIRENZE ANNOUNCE ANDRUS AS FIRST HEAD COACH

The Firenze Red Lions have named the experienced Bart Andrus as their inaugural head coach ahead of the 2026 American Football League Europe season.

Andrus, a veteran of various European leagues over the years, is the first appointment as general manager Bart Iaccarino follows through on his plan to build the Red Lions’ coaching staff as priority before focusing on the playing roster.

Throughout his career, Andrus has coached at strong college programmes and also gained experience in the NFL, NFL Europe, the Canadian Football League and, most recently, the European League of Football, where he led the Frankfurt Galaxy in 2025.

His career includes several notable achievements, including being named NAIA Division I Coach of the Year and NFL Europe Coach of the Year award, as well as becoming a World Bowl XIII champion.

“We are very pleased to announce the commitment of Bart Andrus as the first head coach in the history of the Florence Red Lions,” Iaccarino noted. “His outstanding experience and deep knowledge of American football in Europe are a fundamental win for our project and we are confident that his leadership qualities and vision will contribute decisively to creating the foundation for a solid, ambitious franchise that is built to last.”

Now he takes on a new challenge in a new country, responsible for shaping Firenze’s identity and leading the franchise into its inaugural season.

That ‘identity’, meanwhile, will be closely scrutinised following a statement issued by Italian Football League champions Guelfi Firenze, who have moved swiftly to distance themselves from the AFLE outfit.

“With reference to the recent establishment of a new sports organisation using the name of the city of Florence within the European American football landscape, the Guelfi Firenze wish to clarify that they have no direct or indirect affiliation with this initiative,” an official statement read. “Since 2000, we have officially represented Florence in recognised national and international competitions, with a well-established organisation, a multi-championship youth programme and results earned on the field. Among these achievements is the title won in Toledo — our second in the past four years.

“Our identity is not built on announcements or statements, but on official competitions, seasons played and trophies lifted. We will continue to operate exclusively within the institutional frameworks that govern American football in Italy and across Europe.

“Our story continues where it has always been written: on the field.”