Skip Holtz, head coach of the Birmingham Stallions, announced today that he will be stepping away from his role in the United Football League (UFL) to evaluate other opportunities following an extraordinary four-year run highlighted by three consecutive championships (2022-23 USFL; 2024 UFL). He leaves the UFL with a 33–7 regular-season record and 6–1 postseason mark.
Statement from Heat Coach Skip Holtz
Coaching the Stallions has been one of the great honors of my career. I’m grateful for the players, staff, the City of Birmingham, and our passionate fans who helped create such a special and winning culture. What we accomplished together is something I’ll always treasure.
I am not retiring. This is simply the right moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead. I’m excited about the next steps in my journey and energized by new possibilities. I look forward to seeing where this path leads.
Statement from UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon
Head Coach Skip Holtz can be summed up in one word – Champion. When they write the first chapter of the history of the United Football League, Skip and his three-time champion Birmingham Stallions will be the first names to jump off the page. He leaves the UFL with the respect and gratitude of our owners, executives, coaches, players, and, especially myself. We wish Skip, his wife Jennifer, and their entire family the best of luck.
Before his championship run in the UFL, Holtz built an accomplished résumé across major college football. A former Notre Dame player who later served as an assistant and offensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish, Holtz went on to lead programs at UConn, East Carolina, USF and Louisiana Tech – winning 152 games overall with 12 bowl appearances (and eight bowl wins) in 17 FBS seasons and eight conference or divisional titles.
After Holtz’s initial season at ECU, Holtz put together a run of four-consecutive bowl games with back-to-back Conference USA championships and a Conference USA Coach of the Year award. Likewise at Louisiana Tech, after the initial season, he took the program on a run of 7-consecutive bowl appearances (winning six straight bowl games) including three consecutive nine-win seasons along with the program’s first 10-win season in 35 years.
The UFL will announce Holtz’s replacement in the near future.
About the United Football League
The United Football League (UFL) is the premier professional spring football league, powered by the visionary leadership and investment of Mike Repole and Impact Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, FOX, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and ESPN. Built on innovation, accessibility, and competitive excellence, the UFL delivers the most engaging professional football experience in the world—for both players and fans.The league features eight teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Gamblers, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm, and St. Louis Battlehawks. The 2026 season kicks off Friday, March 27.
Sources: Birmingham Stallions Media Contact
Heather Jeffcoat, Director of Communications, Birmingham Stallions
heather.jeffcoat@uflstallions.com
UFL Media Contact
Mike Wade, Senior Vice President of Communications, UFL
Bianca Gamez, Director of Communications and Media Relations, UFL
