ARLINGTON, Texas — As the weekend approaches, football is back in the spotlight, and stealing that spotlight is the most formidable team in major-level football over these past three years.
Surprisingly, it’s not the Kansas City Chiefs from the NFL or the heavyweights of college football like Ohio State or North Dakota State. Instead, it’s the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, helmed by ex-Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz. With a remarkable run of three straight championships and a 32-4 record, they’re gearing up to chase their fourth title this weekend as the UFL kicks off its season. Holtz, bearing a renowned surname, is out to confirm he’s still a winner.
“We touched on the four-peat goal during our initial team huddle,” Holtz mused about their title aspirations. “Half of our guys are fresh faces, and the league is strengthening. We celebrated the triumphs of the past squads, but now, it’s all about moving forward.”
The Stallions have carved their path across different leagues. They clinched the two inaugural championships of the revived United States Football League in 2022 and 2023 and went on to seize the UFL title last year after the USFL merged with the XFL, creating a singular spring pro football league centralized in Dallas.
Since 2019, the spring football scene has seen numerous ventures like the Alliance of American Football. The UFL and its antecedents (with the XFL rebooting in 2020 and the USFL in 2022) experienced mixed outcomes but sustained enough momentum to persist, driven by owners with Fox Sports at the helm. Active NFL athletes like Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond have rejuvenated their careers thanks to spring football. This year sees former TCU star and Heisman runner-up Max Duggan with the St. Louis Battlehawks and ex-third round draftee Matt Corral back with the Stallions.
Spring leagues have not only breathed new life into players’ careers but also coaches’. Bob Stoops, a former Oklahoma coach, continues his journey with the Arlington Renegades and shows no intent of returning to college ball. Reggie Barlow stepped down from the DC Defenders for the Tennessee State role, following Eddie George’s transition to Bowling Green.
Holtz, caught between aspirations, was interested in college ball but selective about his opportunities. Post a 3-9 season at Louisiana Tech in 2021, which marked his first losing season after seven bowl runs, he was let go.
Holtz recalled, “Going through my third AD and second president, a single bad year led to my dismissal. It seemed unjust, and it left me disenchanted with college football’s state.”
Across 22 years in college football, Holtz boasted 14 winning seasons and racked up at least nine victories on seven occasions, including at Louisiana Tech. A noteworthy highlight was leading South Florida to triumph over Notre Dame in 2011, a feat echoing louder knowing he’s the son of the legendary Lou Holtz. But a big break in top-tier college teams remained elusive, and the idea of building yet another Group of 5 school didn’t excite him post-Louisiana Tech.
So, when the USFL extended an offer in early 2022, Holtz’s curiosity piqued. A lunch meeting ended with him accepting the job before talking it over with his wife. He became the Stallions’ first hire and was instrumental in shaping the team’s framework, from arranging team meetings to advising the league on operational strategies. Within the UFL, Holtz is celebrated as someone committed for more than just a fleeting moment.
Daryl Johnston, the UFL’s executive vice president for football operations and a Fox NFL analyst, expressed, “Bringing Skip onboard and having him embrace our vision was a pivotal achievement in our first year. He’s ideal for this role… He’s challenged my methodologies and significantly sharpened my own abilities.”
The paths to glory under Holtz have been varied. Each championship saw different leaders: J’Mar Smith, his former charge at Louisiana Tech, steered the first win with ex-Alabama star Bo Scarborough. The second crown came via FIU’s Alex McGough, and the third through Adrian Martinez, formerly of Nebraska and Kansas State. Now, McGough and Corral vie for the starting spot, speaking to the dynamic nature of spring leagues that renders their achievements all the more impressive.
“These have been some of my most cherished years in coaching,” Holtz beamed.
Sharing a sentiment with Stoops, Holtz values the UFL schedule. Spring seasons allow him to hone professional talent without the academic concerns tied to college coaching. As autumn unfolds, he makes time to visit his son Trey at LSU, his daughter Hailey with the Seattle Seahawks, and his other son in Orlando, attending different football games each weekend.
“I’ve relished the chance to recharge and simply enjoy the college game,” Holtz commented.
If the lure of college football calls once more, Holtz took up a role at Northwestern in late 2023 alongside interim coach David Braun after Pat Fitzgerald’s departure amidst controversy. Contrary to dire predictions, the Wildcats finished 8-5, securing Braun’s permanent promotion.
Holtz recounted, “I jotted down meeting insights and strategies, conferring with (Braun) on potential tweaks. His openness made collaboration rewarding. It’ll be one of those seasons I cherish in retrospect.”
Amidst his UFL feats and Northwestern intermission, Holtz has interacted with various schools about vacancies. Yet, at 61, he acknowledges he’s more seasoned and thus selective about his future steps.
“I’ve been offered chances to go back, but nothing matches the thrill of my current role,” he admitted. “My father once remarked about not buying green bananas at this age; it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in what I do, and the UFL delivers that.”
Holtz boasts proudly about former Stallions, now in the NFL, like the Cowboys’ kicker Brandon Aubrey or Jets’ Adrian Martinez. After all, such success stories define his role in this league.
And let’s not forget the sweet taste of victory. For three years running, no other team has been as dominating.
“After winning the first title, I craved a second,” Holtz said. “The chance for a three-peat made coming back irresistible. To compete for a fourth title amidst such tough competition excites me thoroughly. Perhaps there’ll come a time it doesn’t, but right now, it’s something I thrive on.”
