Frank Schmidt was appointed interim coach in 2007 when, from the stadium's lone stand, donkeys could be seen in the pasture. After 16 years, he led Heidenheim to the Bundesliga.
Germany's all-time record holder is Volker Finke, the legendary Freiburg coach who served for 5,843 consecutive days between 1991 and 2007. Schmidt currently stands at 5,736 days, so he will overtake Finke in October. And when he does, he will guide his team through the Bundesliga and into the top division.