AJ McCarron Named Head Coach of Birmingham Stallions
“This game has given me so much as a player, and now I am ready to give back as a coach”—AJ McCarron
Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and NFL veteran AJ McCarron will take the helm as the next head coach of the Birmingham Stallions, the United Football League announced Thursday. The move comes just days after longtime Stallions coach Skip Holtz stepped down following a highly successful four-year run.
McCarron, a native of Mobile, Alabama, brings a storied football background to the position. He led the Crimson Tide to national championships in 2011 and 2012 and went on to play in the NFL with several teams, including the Bengals, Bills, Raiders, Texans and Falcons. Most recently, he played for the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks, helping them reach the 2024 UFL Playoffs.
UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon said McCarron’s ties to Alabama and history of winning made him a fitting leader for the Stallions as they enter a new chapter. “AJ McCarron is a part of the fabric of winning football that is woven throughout the state of Alabama,” Brandon said in a league announcement. “It is only appropriate that a winner like AJ takes over the reins of the three-time champion Birmingham Stallions as they embark upon a new era.”
In his first public comments about the job, McCarron said he’s ready to give back to the game that shaped his career, especially in his home state. “This game has given me so much as a player, and now I am ready to give back as a coach,” McCarron said. “It’s even more special that I get to do that while representing my home state — a state that has supported me throughout my career. Our team will build upon the amazing legacy of Skip Holtz. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Holtz, what he has done for the league and for the Stallions. I am ready to put in the work that will continue producing championship wins for the city of Birmingham.”
McCarron posted a video about his new position on Facebook, which can be seen at THIS LINK.
Holtz’s departure earlier this week ended a tenure that included multiple championships and helped establish Birmingham as a powerhouse in spring professional football. McCarron succeeds Holtz as the Stallions prepare for the 2026 UFL season, which is scheduled to begin in March. (Reuters)
The coaching announcement also brought an end to McCarron’s bid for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, a campaign he launched in October. McCarron withdrew from the race Wednesday, saying the Stallions opportunity required his full attention.
For more information, follow the Birmingham Stallions on Facebook.
