Phillip Hilderbrand, the American coach of Miskolc Renegades answered some of our journalist’s questions.
The Hungarian American Football Federation (MAFSZ) began a new series of articles, in which coaches and players from the North American continent speak about what it is like in their Hungarian teams, how did they get to Hungary and what methods are they using to reach their goals. This series not only include people from the USA but from Canada.
The series continues with another coach, Phillip Hilderbrand, who just like Andre Bynoe, coached a lot of European teams. The Renegades’ trainer started his career in Italy when he was 18 years old, then he was working at Hungarian and Slovaikian teams as well, until he finally settled down in Hungary. He is well known for executing everything with his team. It is not a surprise that ‘execute’ is his favorite word when he makes a statement for the press. Phillip Hilderbrand told us his future plans with the Renegades. In addition, he spoke about his “adventurous” trip to our country.
Why did you start coaching?
My football career was not going anywhere and it was winding down. I loved the game so I started coaching in Italy when I was 18. I had a good opportunity in high school where my coaches worked. I was exposed to football in Europe at a very young age and I just kept going back to Italy the summers. When my playing career in college was over, I started looking for a job in Europe.
Why did you choose Hungary?
It was one of the best deals. I was talking with 4-5 teams in Europe but I felt that for my coaching style it was best to head this way. Miskolc Steelers was my first team here, I thought that we were the best fit for each other, and this team was the best potential for success.
You coached a lot of teams in Slovakia and in Hungary. Which was the best fit for your style?
Slovakia last year was the best talent wise. If you looked at the 11 players on the field their talent was amazing. But the only problem there was that we could not practice because there were players from all over the country, so it was like a national team. It was difficult to organize. In Nitra, it was really good, there was a very good atmosphere and we had very good players. However, the problem was the same as in the Kings, the practices were difficult and we had players from Miskolc as well. But that was probably the most fun season because at the same time we had a division II. team, so we had a game every week.
How did you get in touch with Hungarian teams?
I was here and I coached the Steelers. The deal with the team got me here first. Once that contract, relationship ended, everybody heard about it and kept calling me. I got a call from the Rebels –I am good friends with Gyula Németh– so I came to Budapest and helped them for a couple of months. Nyíregyháza was calling me as well before the Fall Bowl. I did not really have a football home after the relationship with the Steelers ended. And then one thing just led to another.
You had really good seasons with all of your teams. For example you already have a CEI gold and silver. How did that feel?
It feels so good when you reach your goals so quickly and so early. Mentally, I am only 27. Our focus change and we want to build a long term program in Miskolc which is very difficult because players move for universities, then move for jobs. It is very difficult to build a long term program when you are actually having players for three years. But that is how the goal has changed. I will try to think about it as much as possible and try to stay humble. This past year we had a BAFC gold with Miskolc, the CEI silver with Topolcany, Miskolc got two silvers in arena and Topolcany got silver in seven on seven. We got five medals in a year; I try to just put it on the shelf and leave it there and not really think about it too much because there is always something new ahead.
You coached other European teams. What differences did you see between European and Hungarian teams?
The biggest one is the dedication. Players here are more dedicated because they have families, they have schools, jobs and they practice late at night and pay a lot of money. You can say, they are more dedicated but the problem is that in the States they practice two or three hours every day all throughout the year. I think that here, there is more natural love because the players sacrifice so much to play the game. If you had your team practice every day like in an American style program, the level of football would be crazy here. When you go to an American football team in the States, like in a high school team, they are going to hang you the team cleats, the uniform and everything in a box. Here everybody has to work for it really hard.
What are your goals with the Renegades this year and in terms of the future?
The future depends on this year. We are in the same boat like everybody else; we want to win the division II. Championship and then we can go to division I. And then obviously we want to grow and win the division I. I do not know how fast will this happen. Our main focus now is to win division II. and then we will be working on to build a second team. The problem is that we cannot find games for our second team. However, there are not enough small teams that will play us. So that is our plan, we want to develop.
Photos: Péter Bátori and Europlayers