San Antonio Brahmas

Last updated

San Antonio Brahmas
AmericanFootball current event.svg Current season
Established July 25, 2022;20 months ago (2022-07-25)
Play in Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
San Antonio Brahmas logo.png
League/conference affiliations
XFL (2023)
  • South Division (2023)

United Football League (2024–present)

  • XFL Conference (2024–present)
Current uniform
Team colorsDark gray, yellow, light gray
   
Personnel
Owner(s) Fox Corporation (50%), Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, RedBird Capital Partners (50%)
Head coach Wade Phillips
Team history
  • San Antonio Brahmas (2023–present)
Championships
League championships (0)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (0)
Home stadium(s)

The San Antonio Brahmas are a professional American football team based in San Antonio, Texas. The Brahmas compete in the United Football League (UFL) as a member of the XFL Conference. The team is owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The Brahmas play their home games at the Alamodome. The Brahmas have a franchise regular season record of 6-8 (0.428), the highest win percentage among UFL teams as of its 2024 season.

Contents

History

Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia era (2023–present)

The XFL played its first season in 2020 with eight teams, as a reboot to the league of the same name that played in 2001. [1] After five games, it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [2] Prior to the league's April bankruptcy, the XFL had begun discussions with San Antonio to relocate one of its eight teams there. [3] It had been unavailable as a market at the time of the league's launching due to the Alliance of American Football placing the San Antonio Commanders (that league's best-attended team) there, and because of the XFL's policy at the time of preferring cities that already had NFL franchises.

After XFL founder Vince McMahon sold the league to a consortium led by businesswoman Dany Garcia and her ex-husband, business partner, and former WWE wrestler Dwayne Johnson, and the league did not play in 2021 or 2022, it was announced the league would return for the 2023 season. [4] In March 2022, rumors of a San Antonio XFL team again emerged after the league hired Reggie Barlow, reportedly to serve as the team's coach; [5] Barlow instead would be assigned to the DC Defenders. The league announced in July 2022 that three teams from the 2020 would be replaced, and five would return, and that San Antonio would be among the three new cities, ultimately replacing the LA Wildcats. [6]

The July announcement revealed San Antonio's head coach as Hines Ward and their stadium as the Alamodome. [7] On October 31, 2022, the logo was revealed and the team name was announced as the San Antonio Brahmas. [8] The Brahma name is of Hindu origin, coming from the Hindu creator god; more directly, the Brahmas name comes from the American Brahman, a hybrid species cross-bred from sacred zebu and American cattle that Johnson has long used as a personal mascot. [9] The XFL Brahmas team jerseys were revealed on December 8; [10] their uniforms will be yellow-gold and grey. [11] In the 2023 XFL Draft, the Brahmas were allocated quarterbacks Jawon Pass and Anthony Russo and used their top pick to select running back Jacques Patrick. [12] [13] On February 22, 2023, the XFL's director of communications Jeff Altstadter announced the firing of team executive Mike Sheehan. [14]

A game between the Brahmas and Houston Roughnecks during their inaugural season in 2023 XFL Houston vs. San Antonio 3.5.23 (4).jpg
A game between the Brahmas and Houston Roughnecks during their inaugural season in 2023

The 2023 XFL season began on February 18, 2023, and featured 40 regular season games. [15] The Brahmas compiled an overall record of 3–7 during their inaugural season, missing the playoffs. [16]

On December 28, 2023, Ward resigned from the Brahmas after finishing with a 3–7 record in 2023, in response to a change in contract structure. Houston Roughnecks Head Coach Wade Phillips replaced Ward, a maneuver that would allow the Roughnecks identity to be cleared and used for the former Houston Gamblers. [17]

In September 2023, Axios reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons. [18] On September 28, 2023, the XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge with details surrounding the merger to be announced at a later date. [19] The merger would also require regulatory approval. [20] In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League". [21] On November 30, 2023, Garcia announced via her Instagram page that the leagues had received regulatory approval for the merger and were finalizing plans for a "combined season" to begin March 30, 2024. [22] The merger was made official on December 31, 2023. [23]

Current roster

Players

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists



Roster updated April 17, 2024

50 active, 10 reserve(s)

Staff

San Antonio Brahmas Staff
Front office
  • General manager – Marc Lillibridge
Head coach
Offensive coaches
  • Offensive coordinator – A. J. Smith
  • Running backs – Marvin Williams
  • Wide receivers/special teams – Payton Pardee
  • Offensive Line – Andre Gurode
 
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Will Reed
  • Defensive line – Chris Achuff
  • Linebackers – Derrick Berry
  • Defensive backs – Josh Jones

Player history

Current NFL players

SeasonPosNameNFL Team
2023CB Luq Barcoo Pittsburgh Steelers
2023RB Jacques Patrick New York Jets
2023DT Matthew Gotel Seattle Seahawks
2023K John Parker Romo Minnesota Vikings

Notable players

SeasonPosNameNotes
2023QB Paxton Lynch Former Denver Broncos Quarterback, 2016 1st Round Pick
2023RB Kalen Ballage Former Miami Dolphins Running Back, 2018 4th Round Pick
2024–presentWR Cody Latimer Former Denver Broncos Wide Receiver, 2014 2nd Round Pick
2024–presentFS Teez Tabor Former Detroit Lions Defensive Back, 2017 2nd Round Pick
2024–presentCB Quincy Wilson Former New York Giants Defensive Back, 2017 2nd Round Pick
2024–presentK Donald De La Haye Current YouTuber, has over 5.7 million subscribers
2024–presentRB Anthony McFarland Former Pittsburgh Steelers Running back, 2020 4th Round Pick
2024–presentDE Tarell Basham Former Dallas Cowboys Defensive End, 2017 3rd Round Pick
2024–presentCB Cameron Dantzler Former Minnesota Vikings Cornerback, 2020 3rd Round Pick

Coach history

Head coach history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
San Antonio Brahmas
1 Hines Ward 2023 1037.300
2 Wade Phillips 2024–present431.750

Offensive coordinator history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
San Antonio Brahmas
1 Jaime Elizondo 2023 413.250
2 Jimmie Johnson 2023 624.333
3A.J. Smith 2024–present431.750

Defensive coordinator history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
San Antonio Brahmas
1 Jim Herrmann 2023 1037.300
2Will Reed 2024–present431.750

Rivalries

Houston Roughnecks

The Brahmas are in-state rivals with the Houston Roughnecks. The rivalry is billed as the Lone Star Showdown (not to be confused with the Texas/Texas A&M collegiate rivalry also known as the Lone Star Showdown). [24]

Overall regular-season record vs. opponents

TeamRecordWin %
Orlando Guardians 2–01.000
Memphis Showboats 1–01.000
Arlington Renegades 1–1.500
DC Defenders 1–2.333
Seattle Sea Dragons 0–1.000
Vegas Vipers 0–1.000
Houston Roughnecks 0–2.000
St. Louis Battlehawks 0–2.000
Birmingham Stallions 0-0N/A
Michigan Panthers 1-01.000

Records

All-time Brahmas leaders
LeaderPlayerRecordYears with Brahmas
Passing yards Jack Coan 1,471 passing yards2023
Passing touchdowns Jack Coan

Chase Garbers

6 passing touchdowns2023

2024–present

Rushing Jacques Patrick 443 rushing yards2023
Rushing touchdowns Jacques Patrick 5 rushing touchdowns2023
Receiving Landen Akers 322 receiving yards2023–present
Receiving touchdowns T. J. Vasher

Fred Brown

Jontre Kirklin

Marquez Stevenson

2 receiving touchdowns2023–2024

2023

2024–present

2024–present

Receptions Landen Akers 32 receptions2023–present
Tackles Jordan Williams 116 tackles2023–present
Sacks Delontae Scott 7.5 sacks2023–present
Interceptions Kameron Kelly

Tenny Adewusi

2 interceptions2023

2023

Coaching wins Wade Phillips 3 wins2024–present

Market overview

The Brahmas are the first professional football team in San Antonio since the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football in 2019, who averaged over 28,000 fans per game. [25] The Brahmas join the San Antonio Spurs and San Antonio FC as professional sports teams in San Antonio. The Brahmas also join the San Antonio Gunslingers as football teams located in San Antonio.

Related Research Articles

Willie L. Lewis is an American football executive and former professional player. He was most recently the Director of Player Personnel for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL and Assistant Director of Pro Personnel for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. He was the general manager for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He previously served as an executive in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 years, including tenures with the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. Most notably, he was the Seahawks vice president of football operations from 2010 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashaad Coward</span> American football player (born 1994)

Rashaad Coward is an American football offensive tackle for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football as a defensive end at Old Dominion. He has been a member of the Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Houston Roughnecks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seattle Sea Dragons</span> American football team

The Seattle Sea Dragons were a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. The Sea Dragons competed in the second incarnation of the XFL. The team was founded by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment as the Seattle Dragons, and were owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico. The Sea Dragons played their home games at Lumen Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arlington Renegades</span> UFL (2024) team based in Arlington, Texas

The Arlington Renegades are a professional American football team based in Arlington, Texas. The Renegades compete in the United Football League (UFL). The team was founded as the Dallas Renegades by Vince McMahon's Alpha Entertainment and are owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The Renegades play their home games at Choctaw Stadium. In 2023, The Renegades had a regular season record of 4-6 and were 2-0 in the playoffs, and were crowned XFL Champions. They were apart of the UFL merger in 2024, and started the 2024 season against the USFL Champion Birmingham Stallions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston Roughnecks (2020)</span> UFL team based in Houston, Texas

The Houston Roughnecks were a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The Roughnecks competed in the XFL football league. The team was founded by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment and were an owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico. The Roughnecks played their home games at TDECU Stadium. The Roughnecks had a franchise regular season record of 12-3 (.800), the highest win percentage among all XFL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis Battlehawks</span> UFL (2024) team based in St. Louis, Missouri

The St. Louis Battlehawks are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. The Battlehawks compete in the United Football League (UFL) as a founding member of the XFL Conference. The team was founded by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment and are owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The Battlehawks play their home games at The Dome at America's Center. The Battlehawks have a franchise regular season record of 10–5 (.667), the third highest win percentage among UFL teams as of its 2024 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DC Defenders</span> UFL (2024) team based in Washington, D.C.

The DC Defenders are a professional American football team based in Washington, D.C. The Defenders compete in the United Football League (UFL). The team was founded by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment and is owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The Defenders play their home games at Audi Field. The Defenders have a regular season record of 12–3 (.800), the second-highest win percentage among UFL teams as of its 2024 season. They were also the top team in the 2023 XFL, boasting a 9–1 record and scoring 49 more points than the next closest team, the St. Louis Battlehawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Ward (American football)</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tim Ward is an American football linebacker for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for Old Dominion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tavante Beckett</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tavante Beckett is an American football linebacker for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech and Marshall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan Panthers (2022)</span> Football team of the United States Football League (2022)

The Michigan Panthers are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Panthers compete in the United Football League (UFL). The team is owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The team plays its home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit, which also hosts the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).

The 2023 XFL season was the second season in the reboot of the XFL, the first under its new ownership group of Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale, and the third in the history of the XFL brand created and originally owned by Vince McMahon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston Roughnecks (2024)</span> Football team in Houston, Texas

The Houston Roughnecks are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The Roughnecks compete in the United Football League (UFL). 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 will play in Houston at Rice Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegas Vipers</span> American football team

The Vegas Vipers were a professional American football team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Vipers competed in the XFL football league. The team was founded by Vince McMahon's Alpha Entertainment as the Tampa Bay Vipers and were owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico. The Vipers had a franchise regular season record of 3–12 (.200), the worst win percentage among all XFL teams.

The 2023 XFL Championship Game was an American football game on May 13, 2023, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The contest determined the champion of the 2023 XFL season and was played between the South Division title winners Arlington Renegades and the North Division title winners DC Defenders. The game began at 8:00 p.m. EDT and was aired on ABC.

The 2023 Houston Roughnecks season was the second season for the Houston Roughnecks as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2023 season. The Roughnecks played their home games at the TDECU Stadium and were led by head coach Wade Phillips.

The 2023 San Antonio Brahmas season was the first season for the San Antonio Brahmas as a professional American football franchise. They are members of the XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2023 season. The Brahmas played their home games at the Alamodome and were led by head coach Hines Ward.

The 2024 XFL season was the planned third season of the rebooted XFL and the second under its new ownership group of Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale.

The 2024 San Antonio Brahmas season will be the second season for the San Antonio Brahmas as a professional American football franchise. They are members of the United Football League after a merger between the XFL and the USFL in the offseason. They will be one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2024 season. The Brahmas will play their home games at the Alamodome and will be led by head coach Wade Phillips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 UFL season</span> Inaugural season of the USFL

The 2024 UFL season is the first season of the United Football League (UFL), which was created following the merger of the XFL and USFL, and the fifth season in the combined history of the two leagues, following the 2020 XFL season, 2022 USFL season, and separate 2023 seasons for both the USFL and XFL.

The 2024 UFL dispersal draft was the player selection process to fill the rosters of the eight teams for the 2024 UFL season and disperse the rosters from the eight teams from its component conferences, the XFL and USFL, that were not retained in the merger.

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