Berlin Thunder appoint Daniel Docal as special teams coordinator

The Berlin Thunder continue to build out their coaching staff, announcing Daniel Docal as special teams coordinator and senior defensive assistant. Docal brings a combination of playing experience across European football and a growing coaching resume to the Thunder organization.

A successful playing career in Europe

Before moving into coaching, Docal had a successful career as a defensive back across some of Europe’s most well-known clubs, including the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Hildesheim Invaders and the Leipzig Kings. That playing background gives him a firsthand understanding of the game that he now channels directly into his coaching work.

A coaching career on the rise

Since transitioning to coaching, Docal has built an impressive resume across multiple levels of the game. He has worked at Bucknell University, coached the Danube Dragons in Austria and spent two seasons as defensive coordinator at the NFL Academy in London, one of the most respected development programs in European football. Perhaps the standout entry on his resume is a three-week stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was part of the coaching staff during Organized Team Activities in the preseason, giving him a taste of the NFL environment.

With Docal now on board, the Berlin Thunder continue to assemble a coaching staff with serious credentials ahead of the 2026 season.