The league is named, the teams and head coaches are set, and the conferences have been established. The United Football League’s kickoff is less than 90 days away. If you’re an XFL fan who tuned out the USFL the last two seasons but who wants to follow the UFL, here’s a primer on the teams from the USFL Conference.
Birmingham Stallions’ defense STIFLES Generals’ offense in 27-10 victory of USFL week 1 action (TheUSFL.com)
Birmingham Stallions
2023 Record: 8-2 (USFL Champions)
Head Coach: Skip Holtz, third season (17-3 regular season record)
General Manager: Zach Potter
Home Stadium: Protective Stadium (capacity 47,100)
Key Players: RB CJ Marable, TE Jace Sternberger, CB Nate Brooks
History: A mainstay in all three years of the initial USFL in the 1980s, the Stallions have been the class of the USFL since being resurrected for the 2022 season. They’ve won the league title both years, while also sending the most players of any team to the NFL. One of the best kickers in the league, Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys, is a former Stallion. The team will be looking to replace 2023 USFL MVP QB Alex McGough, who is with the Green Bay Packers. They’ve brought in Adrian Martinez to vie for the job along with hold-overs Ja’Mar Smith and Kyle Sloter.
Key Players: RB Mark Thompson, WR Justin Hall, DE Chris Odom
History: The Gamblers played two years in the original USFL in 1984 and 1985, known for introducing the Run & Shoot offense to a wider audience. Interestingly, the rebooted Gamblers also lasted two seasons. They’re now using the XFL Houston branding as the Roughnecks in a move sure to frustrate those trying to keep track of the statistical lineage of these teams. The Roughnecks return 2023 Offensive Player of the Year in Thompson and the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year in Odom. Houston made a two-win improvement from ’22 to ’23; another two-win gain could result in a playoff berth in ’24.
Derrick Dillon shows off ELITE speed, accounts for 219 all-purpose yards in Showboats’ victory over Maulers (TheUSFL.com)
Memphis Showboats
2023 Record: 5-5
Head Coach: John DeFilippo, first season (7-3 with New Orleans Breakers in ’23)
General Manager: Dave Razzano
Home Stadium: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (capacity 58,325)
Key Players: WR Derrick Dillon, K Alex Kessman, DT John Atkins
History: Like the Gamblers, the Showboats played two years in the USFL in the ’80s, in 1984 and 1985. This past season was the first for the Showboats in the new league, as the Tampa Bay Bandits moved north and morphed into the Showboats for 2023. With Todd Haley out as head coach, DeFilippo joins from the Breakers, who didn’t make the cut for teams in the UFL. Memphis has a long history of being involved in alternative football leagues. We’ll see if this one sticks for the city.
Michigan Panthers’ defense forces FOUR turnovers in 29-13 victory over Houston Gamblers (TheUSFL.com)
Michigan Panthers
2023 Record: 4-6
Head Coach: Mike Nolan, second season (4-6)
General Manager: Steve Kazor
Home Stadium: Ford Field (capacity 65,000)
Key Players: QB Danny Etling, RB Reggie Corbin, DE Breeland Speaks
History: A dominant team for two seasons in 1983 and 1984, the Panthers won the first USFL Championship in ’83. That success has not carried over to the new version of the league, however. Jeff Fisher led the team to a 2-8 record in 2022. He was replaced by Mike Nolan for 2023. Under Nolan, the Panthers improved to 4-6 and made the playoffs, just missing out on earning a spot in the league championship game, taking the Pittsburgh Maulers to overtime in the divisional round. Nolan returns to stabilize the leadership role on the team. They’ll need to find someone to succeed do-everything LB Frank Ginda, now with the Atlanta Falcons. That won’t be easy.
