After seven years at the helm of the German ski jump team, Stefan Horngacher has officially stepped down as national coach with the DSV. The decision followed a recent World Cup season that failed to meet expectations, signaling the end of his tenure in Germany. Horngacher, a familiar name in ski jumping circles, now turns his attention back to his home in Poland, where he will work to improve performance after a less successful recent campaign.
Taking Horngacher’s place is Andreas Mitter, a well-known figure within the team who previously worked as assistant coach under the outgoing leader. This transition has been welcomed, with Olympian Philipp Raimund expressing full confidence in the choice. Raimund believes the switch maintains continuity for the team and brings stability to the program.
Raimund's endorsement
'For the team, he is absolutely the right man,' Raimund stated, speaking highly of Mitter’s leadership style. He pointed out Mitter’s unique balance of emotional intelligence and the ability to enforce discipline when required. Raimund also recalled Mitter’s early influence in his career, noting how the coach once helped move him from the junior B-team to the elite A-team. 'He has a good intuition and strong empathy, but he also knows when to say something harder,' Raimund explained.
Horngacher's legacy
Horngacher had a varied history with the German team. Before taking over in Germany, he led the national squad in Poland, where he achieved a successful tenure from 2016 to 2019. In Germany, he remained influential, though the team did not win the highly sought-after Vierschanzentournee. However, the unexpected Olympic gold on the normal hill in 2026 brought a memorable conclusion to his time with the team. Raimund credits Horngacher for playing a key role in securing that Olympic success.
Now 56, Horngacher has returned to his roots in Poland, where he will focus on fine-tuning training methods and processes following a difficult season. Mitter, who is 44 years old, steps into the head coach role with the challenge of steering the German ski jumpers through a period of rebuilding and development.