Birmingham Stallions (2022)

Last updated
Birmingham Stallions
AmericanFootball current event.svg Current season
Established November 22, 2021;2 years ago (2021-11-22)
Play in Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
Birmingham Stallions logo.svg
League/conference affiliations
United States Football League (2022–2023)
  • South Division (2022–2023)

United Football League (2024–present)

  • USFL Conference (2024–present)
Current uniform
Team colorsRed, gold, white
   
Personnel
Owner(s) Fox Corporation (50%), Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, RedBird Capital Partners (50%)
Head coach Skip Holtz
Team history
  • Birmingham Stallions (2022–present)
Championships
League championships (2)
Conference championships (0)
Division championships (2)
Playoff appearances (3)
Home stadium(s)

The Birmingham Stallions are a professional American football team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The Stallions compete in the United Football League (UFL). The Stallions are owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. They play their home games at Protective Stadium. They have won two USFL championship games since its founding, defeating the Philadelphia Stars 33–30 in 2022 and defeating the Pittsburgh Maulers 28–12 in 2023.

Contents

History

The Birmingham Stallions were one of eight teams officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021. [1] On January 6, 2022, it was revealed that former NCAA coach Gene Chizik would become the head coach of the Stallions. Chizik confirmed the report, but the parties have yet to agree. He ultimately took a deal to become the defensive coordinator for North Carolina two days later. [2] [3] On January 20, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former NCAA football head coach Skip Holtz was named the head coach and general manager of the Stallions. [4]

The Stallions finished the 2022 regular season with a 9–1 record, winning the South division title and clinching the South division's first seed. The Stallions hosted their first South Division Championship game, facing the second-seed New Orleans Breakers. The Stallions defeated the Breakers 31–17 and advanced to the 2022 USFL Championship Game. [5]

On July 3, 2022, in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the Stallions played against the North division's second seed, the Philadelphia Stars. Following halftime, the Stallions led by eleven points, but a 4-yard Stars' touchdown narrowed the Stallions' lead to five points with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter. On the Stallions' next possession, they were forced to attempt a 38-yard field goal, which was missed. Then Philadelphia's Case Cookus found Devin Gray in the end zone for a touchdown two plays later. The Stars attempted and converted a two-point conversion. [6] This gave Philadelphia a 23–20 lead, their first of the game. Following a pair of field goals and a 26–23 lead with under three minutes remaining, Scooby Wright had a 46-yard interception returned for a touchdown to seal the game for the Stallions effectively. [7] [8] Victor Bolden Jr. won the USFL Championship Game Most Valuable Player Award.

Following the 2022 season, the Stallions hired Zachary Potter. He previously held the title of team director during the Stallions 2022 season. [9]

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. [10] Officials in Birmingham were assured that the Stallions would be part of the merged league should the union go forward. [11] 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. [12] The merger would also require regulatory approval. [13] In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League". [14] 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. [15] The merger was made official on December 31, 2023. [16]

The Stallions (right) lined up on offense before a snap during a game against the Houston Roughnecks in 2024 BirminghamStallionsvHoustonRoughnecks42724-3 (53686560774).jpg
The Stallions (right) lined up on offense before a snap during a game against the Houston Roughnecks in 2024

Championships

The Stallions have won two USFL Championships and two South Division Championships, going back-to-back on both in 2022 and 2023.

USFL Championships

YearCoachUSFL Championship GameStadiumLocationOpponentScoreMVPRecord
2022 Skip Holtz 2022 Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, Ohio Philadelphia Stars 33–30 Victor Bolden Jr. 9–1
2023Skip Holtz 2023 Tom Benson Hall of Fame StadiumCanton, Ohio Pittsburgh Maulers 28–12 Deon Cain 8–2
Total USFL championships won:2

South Division Championship games

YearCoachStadiumLocationOpponentScoreRecord
2022 Skip Holtz Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, Ohio New Orleans Breakers 31–179–1
2023Skip Holtz Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama New Orleans Breakers 47–228–2
Total South Division championship games won:2

Current roster

Players

Birmingham Stallions roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists



Roster updated May 7, 2024

50 active, 4 reserve(s)

Staff

2024 Birmingham Stallions staff

Front office

  • General manager – Zach Potter

Head coaches

  • Head coach/co-offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks – Skip Holtz

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches


Player history

Current NFL players

SeasonPosNameNFL Team
2022CB Tae Hayes New York Jets
2022–2023K Brandon Aubrey Dallas Cowboys
2023WR Austin Watkins Cleveland Browns
2023DT Khalil Davis Houston Texans
2023QB Alex McGough Green Bay Packers
2023WR Davion Davis Houston Texans
2023TE La'Michael Pettway New England Patriots

Notable players

SeasonPosNameNotes
2023–presentTE Jace Sternberger Former Green Bay Packers Tight End, 2019 3rd Round Pick
2024–presentWR Amari Rodgers Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver, 2021 3rd Round Pick
2024–presentQB Matt Corral Former Carolina Panthers Quarterback, 2022 3rd Round Pick
2024–presentDE Taco Charlton Former Dallas Cowboys Defensive End, 2017 1st Round Pick

USFL MVP award winners

Stallions USFL MVP winners
YearPlayerPositionSelector
2023 Alex McGough QBUSFL

Coach history

Head coach history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
Birmingham Stallions
1 Skip Holtz 2022–present28253.892440*2023 USFL Coach of the Year

Offensive coordinator history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
Birmingham Stallions
1 Skip Holtz 2022–present25223.880440*Co-Offensive Coordinator with Philip Montgomery
2 Philip Montgomery 2024–present8801.000–––*Co-Offensive Coordinator with Skip Holtz

*Holtz also serving as Offensive Coordinator

Defensive coordinator history

#NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAwards
GCWLWin %GCWL
Birmingham Stallions
1 John Chavis 2022–present28253.892440

Records

All-time Stallions leaders
LeaderPlayerRecordYears with Stallions
Passing Yards Alex McGough 2,564 passing yards2022-2023
Passing Touchdowns Alex McGough 23 passing touchdowns2022-2023
Rushing Yards C. J. Marable 1,084 rushing yards2022–present
Rushing Touchdowns C. J. Marable 9 rushing touchdowns2022–present
Receiving Yards Davion Davis 575 receiving yards2023
Receiving Touchdowns Jace Sternberger 8 receiving touchdowns2023–present
Receptions C. J. Marable 57 receptions2022–present
Tackles Christian McFarland 96 tackles2023
Sacks DeMarquis Gates 6.5 sacks2022
Interceptions Lorenzo Burns

Nate Brooks

2 interceptions2022–present

2023

Coaching wins Skip Holtz 21 wins2022–present
2022 USFL Championship trophy presentation USFL Championship podium (2) 2022.png
2022 USFL Championship trophy presentation

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 USFLSouth1st ^*§91Won Division Finals (Breakers) 31–17
Won USFL Championship (Stars) 33–30		 J'Mar Smith (SDF MVP)
Victor Bolden Jr. (CG MVP)		 Skip Holtz .889
2023 2023 USFLSouth1st ^*§82Won Division Finals (Breakers) 47–22
Won 2023 USFL Championship (Maulers) 28–12		 Alex McGough (USFL MVP)
Skip Holtz (COTY)
Deon Cain (CG MVP)
2024 2024 UFLUSFLTBD70
Total243All-time regular season record (2022–2024).889
40All-time postseason record (2022–2024)1.000
283All-time regular season and postseason record (2022–2024).903
2 USFL Championship titles, 2 division titles

Related Research Articles

<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 a part of the UFL merger in 2024, and started the 2024 season against the USFL Champion Birmingham Stallions.

<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">Marcus Baugh</span> American football player (born 1994)

Marcus Baugh is an American football tight end for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Ohio State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders in 2018. He has also been a member of the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF), and the Carolina Panthers, Washington Football Team and Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL), and the Michigan Panthers and New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL).

Osirus Mitchell is an American football wide receiver. He played college football at Mississippi State. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent following the 2021 NFL Draft. He had stints with the Green Bay Packers, Birmingham Stallions and Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), and the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. While with the Stallions he was a USFL champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Football League (2022–2023)</span> Professional American football league

The United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football minor league that began play on April 16, 2022. It is now one of the two-component conferences of the United Football League (UFL), along with the XFL.

<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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Stars (2022)</span> Football team based in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Stars were a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Stars competed in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member club of the league's North division. The team played its home games at Protective Stadium and Legion Field, both in Alabama, in 2022, and Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan in 2023. Ultimately, the team would never play a game in Philadelphia. The Stars appeared in the playoffs once, won the division championship game once, and appeared in one USFL Championship Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Orleans Breakers (2022)</span> Football team in New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans Breakers were a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Breakers competed in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member of the league's South division.

Diondre Overton is an American football wide receiver for the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Clemson and has also spent time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Vienna Vikings, Philadelphia Stars, and Pittsburgh Maulers.

Andree Saint-Amour is an American football defensive end for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Georgia Tech. He began his professional career in the National Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2019 with the Minnesota Vikings. He also signed a deal in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the BC Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 USFL season</span> Second season of the USFL (2022)

The 2023 USFL season was the second season of the United States Football League. The regular season started on April 15 and ended on June 18. The postseason began on June 24 and ended with the 2023 USFL Championship Game on July 1. The league expanded the locations their teams play to four total stadiums, adding Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.

<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">San Antonio Brahmas</span> UFL (2024) team based in San Antonio, Texas

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis Showboats (2022)</span> American football team in Memphis, Tennessee

The Memphis Showboats are a professional American football team based in Memphis, Tennessee. They compete in the United Football League (UFL). The team is owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The Showboats play their home games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlando Guardians</span> American football team

The Orlando Guardians were a professional American football team based in Orlando, Florida. The Guardians competed in the XFL football league. The team was founded by Vince McMahon's Alpha Entertainment as the New York Guardians and were owned-and-operated by Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico. The Guardians played their home games at MetLife Stadium in 2020 and played their home games at Camping World Stadium in 2023. The Guardians had a franchise regular season record of 4–11 (.267), the second worst win percentage among all XFL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 USFL season</span> Sports season

The 2024 USFL season was the planned third season of the United States Football League. The regular season was expected to start March 30, 2024, and to end in June 2024. The postseason was expected to begin in June 2024 and end with the 2024 USFL Championship Game in July 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Football League (2024)</span> American football league

The United Football League (UFL) is a professional American football high-level minor league which started play in March 2024. The league was created following the merger of the latest incarnations of the XFL and United States Football League (USFL). It consists of eight teams, all of whom were members of the XFL or USFL prior to the UFL's creation, concentrated in the Midwest and Southern United States.

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

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.

References

  1. ↑ "USFL unveils team cities, nicknames and logos for 2022 debut". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  2. ↑ Chizik, Gene [@CoachGeneChizik] (January 6, 2022). "Addressing a rumor this morning. I am honored that the new @USFL is interested in me for a HC position. We have had several discussions. Although this is a consideration, nothing has been finalized… #Facts" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ "North Carolina Tar Heels football names Gene Chizik assistant head coach for defense". ESPN. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  4. ↑ "What you need to know for USFL in 2022:Two more head coaches revealed". Fox Sports. January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ "USFL Playoffs 2022 score, highlights: Birmingham Stallions defeat New Orleans Breakers 31–17". www.sports.nbcsports.com. NBC Universal. June 25, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ Jones, Alex (July 3, 2022). "Birmingham Stallions win 2022 USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars". WBRC . Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (3 July 2023). "Birmingham Stallions win second straight USFL championship". Alabama Today. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  8. ↑ Haage, Anthony (25 March 2024). "UFL Title Odds for 2024 - Birmingham Favored to Three-Peat". Gambling Sites. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "USFL hires new general managers for two teams". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  10. ↑ Baysinger, Tim; Primack, Dan; Fischer, Sara (September 19, 2023). "Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks". Axios. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Roy S. (2023-09-22). "Will Birmingham Stallions be part of possible USFL-XFL merged league?". The Birmingham News . Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  12. ↑ TSN ca Staff (2023-09-28). "XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge". TSN. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  13. ↑ Schad, Tom (2023-09-28). "XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league". USA Today. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  14. ↑ "XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL'". San Antonio Express-News. October 18, 2023.
  15. ↑ "We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks". Instagram.
  16. ↑ "USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL". Yahoo Sports. 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.