NEUMAN REJOINS VIKINGS
Jordan Neuman wasn’t in the European American football unemployment line for very long following the collapse of the Stuttgart Surge.
As expected, the head coach of the recently-crowned European League of Football champions was a hot commodity once his availability was confirmed but, despite attracting offers from around the fractured continental scene, Neuman opted to return to familiar surroundings in Austria.
Successful wherever he has coached, Neuman celebrated victories and titles with Schwäbisch Hall prior to joining the Surge, but his meteoric European coaching career began with the Vikings — as did his close friendship with Vienna HC Chris Calaycay — over a decade earlier. The Fort Worth native enjoyed a playing career under center, but was then responsible for shaping the success story of the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns as both offensive coordinator and head coach, claiming multiple German championships as well as international success.
He took over as head coach of the then struggling Surge in 2023 and, in his first year, led the franchise to the ELF Final. A semi-final return followed in 2024, before the crowning achievement came in 2025 with championship victory over the Vikings on home turf.
“It goes without saying that I am extremely excited about this signing,” Coach Calaycay admitted. “Jordan is not only one of my best friends, he is also one of the most brilliant coaching minds in Europe. His comeback to Vienna feels kind of nostalgic. I can’t wait to get to work with him again.”
Neuman knows Vienna quite well, having celebrated two Austrian Bowl titles and the Eurobowl crown as OC alongside Calaycay, but had offers to move elsewhere having guided Stuttgart to the ELF championship. He describes his decision to ultimately accept the offer from the Vikings as a ‘no-brainer’, despite turning down lucrative opportunities to return.
“I’m very excited to be back with the Vikings, and thankful to Coach Calaycay, Robin Lumsden and the entire Vikings organisation for this opportunity,” Neuman said. “I have great memories here in Vienna, and walking into the offices and seeing so many familiar faces makes it feel like I never left. I’m looking forward to getting started and giving everything I have to the organisation.”
Neuman will resume his role as offensive coordinator with the Vikings, a development that has delighted new general manager Max Paatz.
“My goal is to develop our team sustainably and continuously,” Paatz explained. “With Jordan, we’re gaining a seasoned coach with extensive experience in European football, who can develop young talent and has always worked in a structured and highly successful manner with his previous teams. I’m incredibly excited about working with him and thank him for his confidence in us.”
With off-season training beginning tonight (Tuesday) for the Vikings players, Neuman will be making a swift return to the sidelines at the Vienna practice facility.