Houston Roughnecks (2024)

Last updated

Houston Roughnecks
AmericanFootball current event.svg Current season
Established November 22, 2021;3 years ago (2021-11-22)
Play in Space City Financial Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Houston Roughnecks 2024 logo.png
League/conference affiliations
United States Football League (2022–2023)
  • South Division (2022–2023)

United Football League (2024–present)

  • USFL Conference (2024–present)
Current uniform
Houston Roughnecks UFL Uniform (2024).svg
Team colorsNavy, red [1]
  
Personnel
Owner(s) Fox Corporation (50%), Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, RedBird Capital Partners (50%)
Head coach Curtis Johnson
Team history
  • Houston Gamblers (2022–2023)
  • Houston Roughnecks (2024–present)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home stadium(s)

The Houston Roughnecks are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The Roughnecks compete in the United Football League (UFL) as a member of the USFL Conference. The team is owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The team was a founding member of the USFL, as the Houston Gamblers in 2022, named after the 1980s USFL team of the same name. Though named after the city of Houston, the 2020s Gamblers never played there under that brand, instead playing its home games as the guest of other USFL teams in Birmingham, Alabama in 2022 and Memphis, Tennessee in 2023. When the USFL and XFL merged to form the UFL in 2024, the Gamblers took over the branding of the original Houston Roughnecks that had played the 2020 and 2023 seasons in the XFL and played in Houston at Rice Stadium and will play at Space City Financial Stadium [2] (previously TDECU Stadium, the home of the 2020 and 2023 Roughnecks) for the 2025 season.

Contents

History

The Gamblers' logo from 2022 to 2023. Houston Gamblers logo.svg
The Gamblers' logo from 2022 to 2023.

Houston Gamblers (2022–2023)

The Houston Gamblers were one of eight teams that were officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021. [3] On January 6, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former NCAA Football Head coach Kevin Sumlin was named the Head coach and General manager of the Gamblers. [4] Houston was the only city in the USFL nominally based west of the Mississippi River and the only team that had a representative team in both professional spring football leagues, the USFL (the Gamblers) and the XFL (the Roughnecks), though the Gamblers never set foot in Houston, instead playing as a traveling team under the USFL's hub model.

On January 6, 2022, former college head coach, Kevin Sumlin was named the head coach and general manager for the Houston Gamblers. [5] The Gamblers' first season game was on April 17, 2022, against the Michigan Panthers at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Kicker Nick Vogel made a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter (the first points for the franchise). The Gamblers defeated the Panthers 17–12, winning their first game in franchise history. The Gamblers lost their next seven games before winning for their final two games of the season, and failing to qualify for the USFL playoffs. [6]

In September, 2022, the Gamblers announced that Robert Morris was named their new general manager. [7] In November 2022, the USFL announced that the Gamblers will play at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee for the 2023 season. [8] In February, 2023, Sumlin announced his plans to join the coaching staff of the Maryland Terrapins, this led to the Gamblers hiring former New Orleans Saints assistant coach, Curtis Johnson as their new head coach. [9]

Houston Roughnecks (2024–present)

Houston Roughnecks in action against the Arlington Renegades in 2023 Roughnecks vs Renegades.jpg
Houston Roughnecks in action against the Arlington Renegades in 2023

On January 1, as part of the merger with the XFL, the Gamblers merged with their XFL counterpart, the Roughnecks. The merged team took on the Roughnecks name and identity (including history and social media presence), while maintaining the Gamblers' coaching staff, player rights and position in the USFL Conference. [10] The team will play in Houston as the Roughnecks did, but renovations to TDECU Stadium, the Roughnecks' home in 2020 and 2023, required the use of a different venue; Rice University Stadium was approached about the possibility prior to the merger. [11] On February 1, 2024, the Roughnecks announced an agreement to play the 2024 season at Rice Stadium. [12] The Roughnecks announced their return to TDECU Stadium on September 13, 2024. [13] Four days later, the stadium announced it would be renamed Space City Financial Stadium as soon as signange was replaced in the first quarter of 2025, in time for the Roughnecks' return to the venue. [2]

Current roster

Players

Houston Roughnecks roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

  • -- Morgan Ellison
  •  5 T. J. Pledger
  • -- ZaQuandre White

Wide receivers (WR)

  • -- Brian Burt
  •  3 Keke Chism
  • -- Felton Davis
  • -- C. J. Windham

Tight ends (TE)

  • -- Malcolm Epps
  • -- Geor'Quarius Spivey
  • -- Cam Sutton
 Offensive linemen (OL)
  • -- Noah Atagi T
  • -- Sean Brown C
  • 72 Cam Carter T
  • -- Nick Correia T
  • 74 Avery Gennesy G
  • -- Samuel Jackson G
  • -- Avery Jones C
  • 65 Jack Kramer C
  • -- Ryan Pope T
  • -- Saige Young G

Defensive linemen (DL)

  • -- T.J. Franklin DE
  • -- Darrius Moragne DT
  • -- Carson Taylor DE
  • -- Kamilo Tongamoa DT
  • -- Cedric Wilcotts II DE
 Linebackers (LB)
  • -- Xavier Benson ILB
  • -- Ben Davis ILB
  • -- Drew Lewis ILB
  • 28 Marvin Moody ILB
  • -- Mike Scott OLB
  • -- Vaughn Taylor Jr. OLB
  • 33 Jeremiah Tyler OLB

Defensive backs (DB)

  • -- Malik Dunlap CB
  • -- Jack Koerner FS
  • -- Armani Marsh CB
  • -- Chu Ogbonna CB
  • -- Shawn Preston Jr. SS
  •  9 Colby Richardson CB
  • 31 Markel Roby FS
  • -- Rayshad Williams CB
  • -- Marquis Wilson CB

Special teams

  • 39 J. J. Molson K
  • -- Marco Ortiz LS
  • -- Mike Rivers P
Reserve lists




Roster updated January 30, 2025

63 active

Staff

2024 Houston Roughnecks staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Pass game coordinator/quarterbacks - Eric Price
  • Running backs/special teams - Garrett Chachere
  • Run game coordinator/offensive line - Tom Cable
  • Offensive Quality Control - Jordan Higgins
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator/linebackers – Chris Wilson
  • Defensive line – Kwahn Drake
  • Defensive backs/special teams – Brett Maxie
  • Defensive quality control - Zach Shagi




Player history

Current NFL players

SeasonPosNameNFL Team
2022DT Domenique Davis Cincinnati Bengals

Notable players

SeasonPosNameNotes
2024LB Reuben Foster Former San Francisco 49ers Linebacker, 2017 1st Round Pick
2024TE Ryan Izzo Former New England Patriots Tight End, 2018 7th Round Pick
2025–presentCB Damon Arnette Former Las Vegas Raiders Tight End, 2020 1st Round Pick

USFL Offensive Player of the Year award winners

Gamblers USFL OPOY winners
YearPlayerPositionSelector
2023 Mark Thompson RBUSFL

USFL Defensive Player of the Year award winners

Gamblers USFL DPOY winners
YearPlayerPositionSelector
2022 Chris Odom DE USFL

Coach history

Head Coach history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
Houston Gamblers
1 Kevin Sumlin 20221037.300---
2 Curtis Johnson 20231055.500---
Houston Roughnecks
Curtis Johnson 2024–present1019.100---

Offensive Coordinator history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
Houston Gamblers
1 David Beaty 20221037.300---*Co Offensive Coordinator
2 J. D. Runnels 20221037.300---*Co Offensive Coordinator
3Eric Price20231055.500---
Houston Roughnecks
Eric Price2024–present1019.100---

Defensive Coordinator history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
Houston Gamblers
1 Tim Lewis 20221037.300---
2 Chris Wilson 20231055.500---
Houston Roughnecks
Chris Wilson 2024–present1019.100---

Records

All-time Gamblers/Roughnecks leaders
LeaderPlayerRecordYears with Gamblers/Roughnecks
Passing Yards Kenji Bahar 2,250 passing yards2022–2024
Passing Touchdowns Clayton Thorson

Kenji Bahar

10 passing touchdowns2022

2022–2024

Rushing Yards Mark Thompson 1,341 rushing yards2022–2024
Rushing Touchdowns Mark Thompson 21 rushing touchdowns2022–2024
Receiving Yards Justin Hall 1,119 receiving yards2023–present
Receiving Touchdowns Justin Hall 7 receiving touchdowns2023–present
Receptions Justin Hall 103 receptions2023–present
Tackles Donald Payne 117 tackles2022
Sacks Chris Odom 17.5 sacks2022, 2024
Interceptions William Likely 4 interceptions2022
Coaching wins Curtis Johnson 6 wins2023–present

Statistics and records

Season-by-season record

UFL champions† (2024–present)USFL champions§ (2022–2023)Conference champions*Division champions^Wild Card berth#
SeasonTeamLeagueConferenceDivisionRegular seasonPostseason resultsAwardsHead coachesPct.
FinishWL
2022 2022 USFLSouth4th37 Chris Odom (DPOY) Kevin Sumlin .300
2023 2023 USFLSouth3rd55 Mark Thompson (OPOY) Curtis Johnson .500
2024 2024 UFLUSFL4th19.100
Total921All-time regular season record (2022–2024).300
00All-time postseason record (2022–2024)–
921All-time regular season and postseason record (2022–2024).300

Rivalries

Double Down Derby

The Houston Roughnecks have shared a rivalry with the Birmingham Stallions since 2022. [14] This rivalry was called the Double Down Derby. As of 2024 the Roughnecks hold a 2–4 record against Birmingham.

Memphis Showboats

The Houston Roughnecks shared Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee with the Memphis Showboats during the 2023 season. In 2024, the two teams played against each other in the season finale for the number one overall pick in the 2025 UFL draft. The winner would get the number one pick, [15] the Showboats won the game 19–12 and earned the 2025 number one pick. [16] Currently the Roughnecks have a 1–3 record against the Showboats.

Franchise matchup history

TeamRecordPct.
Arlington Renegades 1–01.000
New Jersey Generals 1–1.500
Philadelphia Stars 1–1.500
Pittsburgh Maulers 1–1.500
Birmingham Stallions 2–4.333
Memphis Showboats 1–3.250
Michigan Panthers 1–3.250
New Orleans Breakers 1–3.250
DC Defenders 0–1.000
St. Louis Battlehawks 0–1.000
San Antonio Brahmas 0–1.000
Tampa Bay Bandits 0–2.000
  • Defunct teams in light gray.

References

  1. ↑ "Houston Roughnecks' uniforms, helmet". XFL.com (Press release). December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Hauser, Jeff (September 17, 2024). "Houston's Football stadium will undergo name change in 2025". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ "USFL unveils team cities, nicknames and logos for 2022 debut". FOX Sports. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  4. ↑ Stephan Rachuk (January 6, 2022). "USFL Officially Reveals the First Four Head Coaches on The Herd". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ Gaydos, Ryan (January 6, 2022). "4 USFL teams reveal their head coaches for upcoming season". Fox News. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ Stephan Rachuk (June 19, 2022). "Houston Gamblers Conclude USFL Season with Defensive Win Over New Orleans Breakers". www.usflnewroom.com. USFL Newsroom. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ "USFL hires new general managers for two teams". foxsports.com. Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. October 18, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ ""We're Home" – Professional Football Returns To Memphis With Iconic USFL Showboats". www.memphistn.gov. City of Memphis. November 15, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  9. ↑ Sam Young (February 16, 2023). "USFL's Houston Gamblers hire Curtis Johnson as head coach". houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  10. ↑ UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE REVEALS TEAM MARKETS AND HEAD COACHES FOR 2024 SEASON. Press release. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  11. ↑ Rachuk, Stephan (July 25, 2023). "XFL Issues Statement on Houston Roughnecks Future at TDECU Stadium". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  12. ↑ Zuvanich, Adam (February 2, 2024). "Houston Roughnecks of United Football League to play home games at Rice Stadium". Houston Public Media. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ Miller, Anthony (September 13, 2024). "Houston Roughnecks to Return to TDECU Stadium for 2025 Season". UFL. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  14. ↑ "USFL's divisional rivalries unveiled for every team". FOX Sports. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  15. ↑ "UFL Combats Tanking with Winner-Take-All Game for Top Draft Pick". UFL. May 29, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Roughnecks vs. Showboats highlights: Memphis gets No. 1 pick in 2025 UFL Draft with 19–12 win". FOX Sports. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
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