Get this: Three-time national champion quarterback AJ McCarron just landed a head coaching gig with the new Rhode Island UFL team. The UFL dropped the bombshell on Wednesday, September 30, and it’s a massive move for spring football.
AJ McCarron Brings Championship Gold to Rhode Island
This dude brings serious championship vibes. As Alabama’s starting quarterback, he steered the Crimson Tide to national titles in 2011 and 2012. He even snagged another title with Alabama in 2009, though he didn’t appear in any games that season. After college, his NFL journey started when the Cincinnati Bengals picked him in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He went on to play eight seasons in the league, suiting up for the Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons.
But McCarron isn’t just an NFL alum. He’s a UFL veteran too. He played for the St. Louis Battlehawks and actually led them to the playoffs in 2024. Plus, in 2023, he absolutely torched the league, pacing everyone in passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating. Last year, he coached the Birmingham Stallions, and here’s the kicker: he’s bringing that entire Stallions’ roster with him to Rhode Island. Talk about a ready-made, championship-pedigree squad!
Rhode Island’s New Football Era Is About to Kick Off
McCarron’s already hyped to tap into that New England sports energy. In a statement, he said he’s “really excited to experience firsthand” the passion of New England fans, adding that “Rhode Island has a proud sports culture and a fan base that appreciates teams that give everything they have.” He’s ready to “rally this community around its new team.” UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon echoed that, talking about the league’s growth being “about building football communities that fans can connect with from day one.” Pairing McCarron with a returning roster sounds like a brilliant play.
The team’s name, colors, and logos? We’re gonna see them revealed on Sunday, October 18, at Centreville Bank Stadium. That’s where the team will play five home games in 2027. This whole move is part of a bigger UFL expansion plan, too. Colorado’s also joining the league, and Oklahoma and Utah are on deck to join in 2028, pushing the league to a total of 10 teams.
Mark your calendars, because this soon-to-be-named squad kicks off its first home game at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 2, at the Pawtucket stadium. You can catch it live on FOX UFL Friday, which is the league’s prime-time weekend slot. It’s gonna be wild to see what McCarron and this new crew do right out of the gate!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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