Simmons brings decades of experience in professional American football. As Wide Receiver in der NFL the American stood, among other things, at the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and the New York Giants under contract. During this time he learned first-hand about the structures, training methods and performance requirements of the best football league in the world.
After his playing career ended, Simmons consistently pursued the path of coaching – and quickly developed into an internationally sought-after coach. His career took him through numerous countries and football cultures in Europe, Australia, North and Central America.
Station with a connection to Austria: 2012 with the Amstetten Thunder
Also Tony Simmons left his mark in Austria: Already In 2012 he worked for the Amstetten Thunder and gained important experience in European football there. This time is considered an early stage in his international coaching career and underlines his close connection to football in Central Europe – an aspect that is particularly valuable for his new role in the ELF.
Video: An NFL professional in Amstetten
In the years that followed, Simmons worked in a variety of roles Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator und Positionscoach. He was active both in the professional field and in the development of young players and is therefore an ideal fit for the long-term aspirations of the Helvetic Mercenaries.
Clear philosophy and international experience
Simmons’ coaching style is characterized by clear structure, high discipline and a modern playing philosophy. In addition, there is a strong focus on team culture, role distribution and sustainable performance development – central building blocks for success in an ever-growing European League of Football.
The sporting leadership of the Helvetic Mercenaries sees the commitment as a decisive step:
“With Tony Simmons we are gaining a head coach who knows professional football first hand. His NFL experience, combined with his international coaching career, will be a decisive factor in the Mercenaries’ sporting direction and further development.”
Simmons takes on his new role with immediate effect and is now responsible for the entire sporting preparation for the upcoming ELF season. With this step, the Helvetic Mercenaries are underlining their ambition to establish themselves in the long term as a professionally managed and sportingly ambitious franchise in European football.
Zur Person: Tony Simmons
Name: Tony Simmons
Position (active): Wide Receiver
NFL teams (players):
- New England Patriots
- Cleveland Browns
- Indianapolis Colts
- Houston Texans
- New York Giants
International trainer stations (excerpt):
- 2024: Imola Ravens (Italien)
- 2022: Wroclaw Panthers (Polen)
- 2020: Los Cabos Marlins (Mexico)
- 2019: Eidsvoll 1814s (Norway)
- 2019: Melton Wolves (Australia)
- 2018: Eidsvoll 1814s (Norway)
- 2018: Rosenheim Rebels (Germany)
- 2012: Amstetten Thunder (Austria)
