Orlando Storm Head Coach Anthony Becht Named 2026 Buddy Teevens UFL Coach of the Year
The United Football League has announced that Orlando Storm Head Coach Anthony Becht has been named the 2026 Buddy Teevens UFL Coach of the Year following a remarkable inaugural season that saw the expansion franchise earn the league’s best regular-season record.
Becht guided the Orlando Storm to an impressive 8-2 record and the No. 1 overall playoff seed in the franchise’s first season after being named head coach on December 23, 2025.
“I’m honored and grateful to receive this award,” said Becht. “Individual awards are always about the people around you. When you surround yourself with a great coaching staff and 50 players who fully buy into the process, you’re always rewarded tenfold on the backend. This award is a reflection of the commitment and work put in by everyone in our organization.”
The 2026 season marked the second consecutive year that a Becht-led team finished with the league’s best regular-season record. Across four seasons as a UFL/XFL head coach, Becht has compiled an outstanding 30-10 regular-season record, establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in modern spring football.
Orlando quickly emerged as one of the league’s elite teams, winning four of its first five games and earning victories over the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings twice, and the Birmingham Stallions.
The Storm officially secured a playoff berth in Week 8 with a 31-24 victory over the Dallas Renegades at Toyota Stadium in Fort Hood, Texas.
Under Becht’s leadership, Orlando developed into the UFL’s most productive offensive team. Quarterback Jack Plummer enjoyed a breakout campaign, leading the league with 2,188 passing yards and 195 completions while helping the Storm finish first in total offense with 2,803 yards.
Before arriving in Orlando, Becht built a winning culture with the St. Louis Battlehawks, leading the franchise to a 22-8 regular-season record and consecutive playoff appearances during his three seasons as head coach.
The UFL Coach of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Buddy Teevens, the legendary Dartmouth College head coach whose innovative approach to football and unwavering commitment to player development left a lasting impact on the sport.
Teevens was widely respected for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to player safety throughout a coaching career that spanned nearly four decades. A five-time Ivy League champion at Dartmouth, he was also recognized as a pioneer who embraced innovation, advanced player welfare initiatives, and created opportunities for women in football coaching.
Although Coach Teevens passed away in September 2023, his influence continues to be felt throughout football, and the award bearing his name recognizes coaches who embody the same values of leadership, excellence, and service.
Becht will be honored during the UFL Awards presented by Dynasty Financial Partners on June 12 as part of United Bowl week festivities.
The 2026 United Bowl will be played on Saturday, June 13, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and national television coverage on ABC.
Limited tickets for the United Bowl presented by Credit One Bank remain available through Ticketmaster.
Source: UFL
Photo courtesy of the UFL
