Made a trip to visit my friend Chris in Winterthur this week. Chris is the defensive coordinator for the Warriors who play in that city. We met several years ago at the Swiss National Football camp and have spent a lot of time talking football via emails, zoom and now we have a chance to see one another in person again.
“Winti” is located in the Northern part of the country and is a town of about 110,000 or so (That makes it the sixth largest city in the country). Compared to a lot of Switzerland it is relatively flat – but there are a lot of parklike areas and Chris told me that the city likes to consider itself a very “green” city.
We wandered around the downtown area – and like Zurich there is definitely more hustling around. There is a large shopping area as you leave the Bahnhof and head through the market place towards “Old Town”.
Like many other Swiss cities the “Old Town” area is made up of cobblestone 
streets with fountains and nicely situated restaurants where you can sit outside and eat or drink a beer (“Ich trinkt ein Beir.” – German for “I drink a beer” … See I am learning a little of the language here and there – plus I think it was actually three beers!)
Which by the way we did. We had a nice lunch coupled with a few beers as we did what we always do. Talk about football and our respective teams. We exchanged thoughts about where football is and where it is heading in Switzerland.
It was great to see Chris – now there are no professional football players or coaches in Europe. Let me add an asterisk to that. There are some “import” players and coaches. The “imports” are compensated in the amount a football club can afford.
Like anywhere else some clubs have more sponsorship (think bigger cities) and therefore more money than others. So, some clubs will get an “import” player or coach who is compensated.
The compensation is not going to make a player leave the NFL, or a coach from the US quit his job.
Most players are from Division II and III, or NAIA teams. Yes, there are a few QB’s who were backups at bigger schools – but not so many. Consequently, the players who are brought over to Europe are basically guys looking to continue on playing football because they like it. (I will emphasize that this is certainly not a path to the NFL!)
Most of the hired coaches are either real young guys with little experience but have a lot of piss and vinegar and are full of energy. Or they are like me – old and have a lot of experience (not all of it good!) and are willing to share it.
Europe is a great experience for players who want to keep playing and also enjoy learning a new culture. The same for coaches. It is certainly not for everyone. But for guys like me it is an absolutely amazing experience. Now – I have to admit I hit the jackpot when I was introduced to football in Switzerland.
A little about the salary structure. Usually, coaches and players who are “imports” are the same in regards to pay. Generally housing is guaranteed – it is sometimes a shared apartment or flat. It is livable, but don’t confuse it with staying at the Plaza Hotel.
The financial commitment depends on the strength of the club – but anywhere from $2500 – $3500 before taxes. Often one meal per day is included – but not always. Depending on length of stay you will have insurance.
Also, many clubs will give you a European cell phone so you don’t go broke with your US plan. Gym memberships are common as is transportation (often you are better off with a bicycle or an all-city or country public transportation pass than a car).
Oh, and don’t worry about a language barrier. There is none – English is used pretty much everywhere. (I cannot guarantee that about Japan where they have tremendous football – you have to talk to my friend Greg Gregory who is coaching there right now.)
Most European seasons are three or four months – so that is the extent of your commitment. You will not get rich! But, you will meet some truly amazing people. Both on and off the field. That I can guarantee you. Then there is the ability to see so many things. It truly is amazing.
So, anyway it is truly a great summer job for a player who wants to keep playing – or for a coach who fits a special niche. I love it and have recommended it to many of my friends. I also recommend it to players from a school like Moravian College (a Division III school in PA where I work) if they want to experience a great time before they enter their 40+ years of real world work that they will be facing!
Damn, how did I get so far off the track with my meandering around?
Back to Chris. He is a truly gifted coach, and I can see that whenever we talk via zoom or finally more in person. Chris is one reason why I have so much faith in the great leaps in improvement that football has made in Switzerland.
Yes, the players continue to improve – case in point players from our small city of Thun – the Harvey brothers are playing college football in the US – Johns Hopkins and Washington and Lee. Danny Antolovich (all 6-7 and 300 pounds of him) is on a scholarship at UCONN.
There are players here!
But, there are coaches here as well. They continue to get better – obviously this propels the athletes forward. I am so impressed with the intensity and the seriousness of the coaches in Switzerland. (Our staff in Thun is one of the best in the country – I am sure of that).
I just love it!
OK – let me finish up with this.
Chris – in life away from football is an airline pilot! Yup, he flies all over the place. Now I ask myself (“Self”) would you rather roam around flying a jet or worry about stopping a particular team’s offense or defense?
I’m voting for “the friendly skies”
Anyway here are some shots of Winterthur!