What to Make of Recent Coaching Changes in UFL
Image via X @XFLBrahmas
From the outside, three head coaches leaving the UFL since the last week of March doesn’t look great, but there is reason to be optimistic about the future.
The coaching changes began with former D.C. Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow leaving the team to take the Tennessee State head coaching job. Shannon Harris took over as interim head coach and has held the position since Week 1. Not only did the Defenders have to deal with Barlow’s departure, but defensive coordinator Gregg Williams also stepped away to maintain the same position at Tennessee State. Williams’ son, Blake Williams, became the defensive coordinator before Week 3.
Memphis has experienced some turnover at the head coach position. The Showboats’ head coach, Ken Whisenhunt, stepped away from the team for Week 1, with Jim Turner as interim head coach. Whisenhunt would return after Week 1 to hold the job for two weeks. After Week 3 action, Whisenhunt decided to step away from the team for the second time, this time for the rest of the season. Turner once again is taking over as interim head coach.
San Antonio got some coaching changes after Week 2, with offensive coordinator A.J. Smith resigning and Payton Pardee taking over as offensive coordinator. Brahmas head coach Wade Phillips had to be in the booth for Week 3 as he was not feeling well, with Pardee having to take responsibility for head coaching, offensive, and special teams duties for the game. The league announced Wednesday that Phillips was taking a leave of absence, with Pardee named interim head coach.
Yes, there is a lot to happen within the first three weeks of the regular season. However, it may not be as bad as some think.
Reviewing The Tape of Coaching Performances
Let’s start with the shining star of the coaching chances: Shannon Harris. In his first three weeks as interim head coach of the Defenders, Harris has led an improbable run of the team being 3-0, having the number one passing offense in the league (199.3 yards per game), ranked first in turnover margin (+6), and number on total defense (206.3 yards allowed per game).
Blake Williams stepped into the defensive coordinator role in Week 3, and all he did was lead the Defenders’ defense to force four turnovers and allow just 15 points against the number one offense in the UFL, the St. Louis Battlehawks. The great Ron Burgundy once said, “Don’t act like you’re not impressed.”
Let’s jump to the Brahmas for a second and commend Pardee’s performance, having to wear multiple hats in San Antonio’s three-point loss to the Michigan Panthers in Week 3. The Brahmas scored 18 points in the first two games. On Sunday, they racked up 23 points and were a missed field goal away from forcing overtime. A ton of credit has to be given to Pardee for holding the glue together for San Antonio.
Granted, Memphis did not win in Turner’s one game as interim head coach this season, but the Showboats had a late interception returned for a touchdown on a drive that could have given them the lead. The offense has some work to do, but Turner has been a vocal leader of this team, and at moments last week, Whisenhunt was making decisions on what plays to call.
Remember, the UFL is a league of opportunity not only for the players but also for the coaches, and let’s be honest, the coaches who have stepped up have already proven to be good so far. We can all hope for the best with Barlow and Williams’s new job, Whisenhunt and Phillips’ personal lives and health, and Smith’s future, which hopefully will return to the UFL soon.
However, these assistant coaches who step up to the plate have shown that they need one opportunity to move up and be the leaders of their teams. There should be more intrigue as the season rolls along with new coaches showing the future of the UFL and football.
