Club
Deante Battle to be head coach of Warsaw Eagles for season 2027!
Eagles are entering their preparatory period, and for another year, the team will be led by Head Coach Deante Battle! Coach briefly discussed his plans for winter, behind-the-scenes story of joining the AFLE, and expectations for the upcoming year.
You've won three Polish Championship titles in a row with Eagles and led the organization to CEFL semifinals. Naturally, success breeds higher expectations. Has playing in a full-fledged European league been a long-time goal for the Eagles?
Yes, it’s been a goal for us for a while. With a decision like this, you never know exactly when the right time is. We’d been meeting with different leagues for a couple of years and carefully considering the move. We knew there were areas of the organization we needed to improve to compete at the next level, but we decided this was the right time to take that step.
For players, this means a chance to compete against top teams from across Europe and help build the next chapter of the Eagles. We know that takes commitment, and we’re working to create an environment where players can develop and compete at a high level.
How would you evaluate AFLE first season - format, level of competition, and rules? What’s working really well so far, and where do you see room for improvement?
As an outsider, it’s always difficult to judge a league’s first season fully. But there were some very good games. I watched a good portion of the Panthers Wrocław season, and from a fan’s perspective, there was exciting football and a strong level of competition. We’re looking forward to being part of that environment and seeing how we measure up.
What about PFL? Will we still see Eagles competing in Polish league? If so, in what capacity or format?
Yes. As you’ve seen, we’ve merged with the Dukes. We know a strong foundation is essential to help the program develop over the coming years. The PFL team will give players an opportunity to compete, gain valuable game experience, and keep developing. Some may not be ready for AFLE right now, but could be ready in a couple of years.
We plan to run the PFL team in a way that makes the transition to AFLE as smooth as possible. It will be an important pathway for players who want to grow within the organization. And while development is a major part of its purpose, we’ll have talented players on that team and we’ll compete to win.
Competing at European level is also a challenge when it comes to the coaching staff. You have a trusted group around you, but are you planning to expand your staff and build out those structures?
Yes, absolutely. This will be the biggest coaching staff we’ve had. We want every position group to have at least one dedicated coach, with some groups having two coaches, including assistants. That gives players more direct coaching and support as they develop. We’ve already filled a few roles and will announce some of those coaches in the coming days.
Playing regularly in Europe definitely requires a much deeper roster. Are you planning on holding open tryouts? If so, what kind of players are you looking for? I assume that besides Polish athletes, European recruits are also on the table.
Yes, we’ll hold tryouts in November for homegrown players and selected European players. We’re looking for the best players at every position, and the recruiting process has already started.
Homegrown talent is very important to us. If you’re a Polish player looking for the opportunity to compete at a higher level, we encourage you to come out. We want to see your ability, but also your work ethic, attitude, and willingness to be part of a team. There’s an opportunity here to help build something new with the Eagles.
We’ll most likely see a matchup in the AFLE between the two strongest Polish teams right now - Panthers Wrocław vs. Warsaw Eagles. Is going up against your former team of many years in such a prestigious league an extra motivator and an exciting challenge for you?
It’s always a little extra motivation because of the people involved. I’ll be playing and coaching against friends, including a lot of guys I still talk to and spend time with today. I’m sure the group chats will be interesting that week. But ultimately, when the game starts, it comes down to football.
What would you consider a successful outcome for your debut season in AFLE? I know you'll probably say the goal is always to win it all, but realistically, what’s your target or minimum for upcoming season?
Like every year, our goal is to go out and win. As a new team in the league, we need to prove we can compete, but that isn’t a reason to lower our expectations. We’ll prepare to win every game. For players who join us, this is a chance to help establish the Eagles at the European level from the beginning. That’s what I’ll be echoing throughout the offseason.
