Examining Shannon Harris as D.C. Defenders Interim Head Coach

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Just a week before the 2025 UFL season began, a bombshell was dropped: D.C. Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow stepped down, and QB coach Shannon Harris took over as interim head coach.

With over 24 hours to digest the news, there are many questions about the franchise’s future, the coaching staff, and more. Let’s examine how we got to this point and consider different elements of the news.

Goodbye Reggie Barlow

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This was bound to happen. Barlow’s coaching background is in college, dating back to his time coaching Alabama State and Virginia State. He finished with a winning record at both schools before leaving Virginia State for the Defenders.

Barlow had his ups and downs in D.C., as it all started well with a 9-1 record in the XFL back in 2023 before losing to the Arlington Renegades in the XFL Championship Game. Last year was less than ideal, with injuries plaguing the Defenders, who fell to a 4-6 record. Barlow did finish with a 13-7 overall record as Defenders head coach.

Over the years, Barlow’s name has been attached to college football job openings as Barlow kept sticking with spring football before the right one came. While some UFL and Defenders fans will feel betrayed by his leaving just a week before the regular season begins, the reality is Tennessee State is a solid Division 1 school that would make for a great first step for him. If Barlow finds success quickly, he could follow the route of previous Tennessee State head coach Eddie George and get a head coach job at the FBS level.

Questions on UFL Head Coach Contracts

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This does leave some to wonder how the head coach contracts work in the UFL. Players who sign contracts before or in training camp must be committed to the entire UFL season. Why are head coaches not held to the same standard?

From a head coach’s perspective, having their options open during the spring is understandable. December through February are usually the hottest times for coaches to get hired for new jobs. The Tennessee State job opened after George took the Bowling Green head coaching job, which was a domino effect starting with Kellen Moore leaving the Philadelphia Eagles after the Super Bowl for the New Orleans Saints job. This chain of events left the league with an odd situation.

For the league, leaving the contracts open-ended for coaches to go is not in their best interest. They can’t afford to let big-name coaches like Barlow leave, especially since they are so close to the regular season.

It’s not the first time spring football fans have seen head coaches leave right before the season. Former Houston Gamblers head coach Kevin Sumlin left the team to take a coaching job at Maryland, which led to current Houston Roughnecks head coach Curtis Johnson landing the job and only about a week to put a coaching staff together before the USFL College Draft in 2023.

As the league enters the offseason and discusses the 2026 season, it might be necessary to discuss head coaches committing to the league at a specific date before the regular season begins.

Anymore Coaching Changes to Defenders?

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Barlow’s next step is to build out his new coaching staff at Tennessee State. You can’t help but wonder how many on the Defenders’ current staff will follow Barlow to his new job.

Harris makes an interesting choice as the team's interim head coach instead of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who has been an NFL head coach in the past. Before Barlow’s hiring, Harris was considered a candidate for the head coach job since he graduated from the school and started his coaching career there.

It might mitigate the number of staff changes. Still, the league wanted to keep one of their top assistant coaches in place with a head coaching job instead of losing him to Barlow, who could bring him on as a potential offensive coordinator. Harris is well respected in the Defenders’ locker room, so losing someone like that would only hurt the team and the UFL.

More could leave the staff, though, as Barlow could bring some of those guys along in similar positions for higher-paying, full-time jobs. The seasonal aspect of being a coach in the UFL could end up biting the league in the butt, with Barlow potentially poaching coaches from the staff. We will have to see how over the next few days.

Harris Takes Over as Interim Head Coach

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New interim head coach Harris probably wasn’t planning on being a head coach two weeks ago but now takes over the franchise. This will be the first time Harris has been a head coach.

He started coaching multiple offensive positions at Tennessee State from 2002 through 2009. Harris also spent time at Hampton, Alabama State, Alcorn State, and Virginia State. Harris worked under Barlow at Alabama State and Virginia State as an offensive coordinator at Virginia State before being the quarterback coach for the Defenders.

Under the tutorage of Harris, Jordan Ta’amu was the XFL Offensive Player of the Year and All-XFL Team in 2023. Ta’amu has thrown for 3,732 yards and 29 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in two seasons after throwing 12 interceptions in one season in the USFL in 2022.

It has been a great run for Ta’amu, and Harris is a massive reason for him improving his decision-making and letting him utilize his legs more. Defenders fans hope to see that more often this season.

UFL Presented with an Opportunity

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This league is about allowing players to play on a national stage where they wouldn’t get that chance in the NFL. People forget that it’s much of the same for the coaches in the UFL.

Harris has the chance of a lifetime to be a head coach for the first time, which is more than many coaches get. If he performs well in the job, it could lead to him holding the job next year.

Fans have argued that other coaches, like Showboats defensive coordinator Jarren Horton and Brahmas offensive coordinator A.J. Smith, deserved shots at being head coaches in the UFL as well. A successful Harris trial run could also open opportunities for them to gain jobs.

Barlow will be missed as he was an essential part of modern spring football history, but all history is made to be added to, and Harris has a chance to put his stamp on it.