If you need a football fix before college and NFL seasons start again, consider checking out the United Football League (UFL). The league recently gained attention with AJ McCarron stepping in as head coach of the Birmingham Stallions. McCarron, the former Alabama quarterback known for winning three national championships under Nick Saban, took the helm in December, succeeding Skip Holtz who led the team to a 2024 title.
During a dramatic Week 4 game against Orlando, McCarron made headlines with a passionate halftime address. Captured in the UFL’s YouTube series, “4th & Goal,” McCarron’s speech showed intense frustration with his team’s performance.
“Wake the f— up. Make your f—ing kicks when we got the opportunity. Stop all this f—king crying and bulls—. All y’all talk about is f—king running the ball. And then we run the ball. They don’t f—ing go anywhere. F—ing communicate. F—ing tired of it. We’re playing f—ing scared. Scared to not make a f—ing mistake. F— that.”
This outburst highlighted his determination, though it didn’t immediately change the team’s trajectory. At that point, the Stallions were being shut out and struggled more throughout the season, ending with a 4-6 record. The team missed the playoffs and scored just 190 points, the second-lowest in the league.
Historically, the Stallions have been a formidable force in spring football, winning one UFL and two USFL championships with a 33-7 record under Holtz. However, McCarron’s inaugural season did not meet expectations.
For McCarron, known for his college success where he started in two championship-winning games, the move to coaching in the UFL marks a new phase. While this season posed challenges, it could be an opportunity for McCarron to refine his leadership and motivate the team more effectively in the future.
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