Kid Coach

Sven Hahnsch is helping German teenagers get involved in American football.

At an age when most people would be happy to have a role model, Sven Hahnsch is one.

The 26-year-old, who sells Flygt pumps in Germany for ITT, is head coach for a youth football team in his hometown of Braunschweig. That’s football -- not fütbol -- and Sven is proud to volunteer his time to help older teenagers discover an alternative sport in his soccer-mad country.

"Not everyone is built for soccer," says Sven. "In American football, there is room for everyone -- from small, fast runners to big, slow blockers. It's another sport and another way to keep kids involved and out of trouble."

Even though he looks as young as some of his 16-19 year-old players, Sven has a lot of clout as coach. He began playing youth football at age 16 and joined the men’s league two years later. He's still playing tight end and fullback for the Braunschweig Lions, and helped the team win its second straight German championship -- the German Bowl -- this year. It's the highest level of club football in Germany, so when he talks, the 60-plus players on the Junior Lions listen.

"I don't yell or scream at my players because I want them to have their heads up -- not down -- when I'm trying to teach them. My main lessons are about hard work and team effort. We can do anything -- anything! -- if we all do it together and try our hardest," he says, slipping into coach-mode.

His proudest coaching moment last year came in a loss. The Junior Lions played poorly at the start of a game and fell far behind. But then -- pulling together and listening to Coach Hahnsch's message of teamwork -- they mounted an incredible comeback that fell just short.  

"They played their hearts out," he remembers. "That's what I love about coaching young people -- they actually hear what you say and try hard to make it happen."

During the German football season, which runs from April to October, Sven is on a football field seven days a week -- practicing, playing or coaching. He also spends countless hours each night working on his game plans for the Junior Lions' next opponent. This year, the work paid off with a third-place finish for the Junior Lions, who play in Germany's highest-level youth league.

Sven is a young man in ITT years, but an old man in football years. Knee injuries have him contemplating hanging up his playing cleats next year, but he won't retire his whistle and coach's cap any time soon.

His goals for next year? Finish first and keep cool on the sidelines when the referees' calls aren't going the Lions' way. 

"I sometimes have a temper," he admits, "but as a coach you have to live what you teach. If I want my kids to play with controlled passion, that's how I have to coach."

Sven Hahnsch played for the Braunschweig Lions, 2006 German Bowl champions, even as he coached the Junior Lions.