Jordan Neuman named Head Coach of the Vienna Vikings
Vikings launch next Chapter
The Vienna Vikings are taking the next step in the evolution of one of Europeâs most successful American football organizations.Â
The Vikings today announced that Jordan Neuman will become Head Coach of the Vienna Vikings for the 2027 American Football League Europe (AFLE) season, while longtime Head Coach Chris Calaycay will transition into the newly created role of Director of Sport.
The move marks the beginning of a new chapter for the reigning AFLE Gold Bowl champions while preserving the continuity, culture and championship standards that have defined the Vikings for decades.
The 43 years old Neuman returned to Vienna in 2026 as Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach and played a central role in leading the Vikings to the first AFLE championship in franchise history.
Calaycay, who has served as Head Coach since 2007, will now oversee the clubâs broader sporting strategy, roster construction and player and coaching development, while continuing to work closely with Neuman and General Manager Max Paatz.
An Offense That Set the Standard
In his first season back in Vienna, Neuman quickly established the Vikings as one of the most explosive offenses in European football.
The Vikings finished the regular season with an 11â1 record and 562 points scored, before producing dominant postseason performances: a 71â34 semifinal victory over the London Warriors followed by a 68â5 Gold Bowl victory over the Panthers WrocĆaw.
The result was the first AFLE championship in Vienna Vikings history.
A Proven Winner Returns to Vienna
Neuman brings with him a résumé that includes championships at virtually every level of European football.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Neuman played quarterback at McMurry University before arriving in Europe in 2005 with the SchwÀbisch Hall Unicorns, initially as a player before moving into coaching. He first joined the Vienna Vikings coaching staff in 2011 as Offensive Coordinator. Working alongside Chris Calaycay, he helped lead the Vikings to two Austrian Bowl championships and capped a perfect 2013 season with a Eurobowl title.
Neuman later became Head Coach of the SchwÀbisch Hall Unicorns, leading the organization to three German Bowl Championships and two CEFL championships. His tenure as HC began with an extraordinary 50-game winning streak. His international coaching career has been equally successful. In 2014, he served as Quarterbacks Coach for the German national team during its European Championship campaign before later taking over as Head Coach.
Neuman also played a key role in the transformation of Stuttgart Surge. Taking over a team coming off a winless season, he guided the Surge to a 10â2 record and a championship-game appearance in his first season. In 2025, he led Stuttgart to the ELF Championship, defeating the Vienna Vikings 24â17 in the final.
Now, Neuman returns to Vienna with the opportunity to lead the Vikings from the sideline.
Chris Calaycay: From Head Coach to Director of Sport
While the change represents the end of Calaycayâs historic tenure as Head Coach, it also opens the door to a new leadership role within the organization.
Calaycay joined the Vikings as Defensive Coordinator in 2004 and became Head Coach in 2005. Over nearly two decades, he helped establish the Vikings as one of the dominant forces in European American football. Under his leadership, the Vikings captured five Eurobowl championships, the 2022 ELF Championship and the first AFLE Gold Bowl in 2026.
As Director of Sport, Calaycay will take responsibility for the clubâs overall sporting strategy, roster planning, player and coaching development, and his continued connection to the Vikings Academy. The new structure is designed to provide a clear separation between the day-to-day responsibilities of the Head Coach and the long-term sporting direction of the organization.
Calaycay will work closely with Neuman and the entire Vikings leadership team to ensure continuity while continuing to develop the organization for the future.