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Birmingham Stallions (2022)

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This article is about the team in the second edition of the USFL. For the team in the original USFL from the 1980s, see Birmingham Stallions.
Birmingham Stallions
Current season
Established November 22, 2021; 2 years ago (2021-11-22)
Play in Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
League/conference affiliations
United States Football League (2022–2023)
  • South Division (2022–2023)

United Football League (2024–present)

  • USFL Conference (2024–present)
Current uniform
Team colorsRed, gold, white
     
Personnel
Owner(s)Fox Corporation (50%), Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, RedBird Capital Partners (50%)
Head coachSkip Holtz
Team history
  • Birmingham Stallions (2022–present)
Championships
League championships (3)
  • USFL Championships (2)
    2022, 2023
  • UFL Championships (1)
    2024
Conference championships (1)
Division championships (2)
Playoff appearances (3)
Home stadium(s)

The Birmingham Stallions are a professional American football team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The Stallions compete in the United Football League (UFL). The Stallions are owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. They play their home games at Protective Stadium. They have won three championships since their founding, winning three consecutive titles between the USFL and UFL starting in 2022. They defeated the Philadelphia Stars 33–30 in 2022, the Pittsburgh Maulers 28–12 in 2023, and the San Antonio Brahmas 25–0 in 2024.

History[edit]

The Birmingham Stallions were one of eight teams officially announced as a USFL franchise on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on November 22, 2021.[1] On January 6, 2022, it was revealed that former NCAA coach Gene Chizik would become the head coach of the Stallions. Chizik confirmed the report, but the parties have yet to agree. He ultimately took a deal to become the defensive coordinator for North Carolina two days later.[2][3] On January 20, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former NCAA football head coach Skip Holtz was named the head coach and general manager of the Stallions.[4]

The Stallions finished the 2022 regular season with a 9–1 record, winning the South division title and clinching the South division's first seed. The Stallions hosted their first South Division Championship game, facing the second-seed New Orleans Breakers. The Stallions defeated the Breakers 31–17 and advanced to the 2022 USFL Championship Game.[5]

On July 3, 2022, in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the Stallions played against the North division's second seed, the Philadelphia Stars. Following halftime, the Stallions led by eleven points, but a 4-yard Stars' touchdown narrowed the Stallions' lead to five points with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter. On the Stallions' next possession, they were forced to attempt a 38-yard field goal, which was missed. Then Philadelphia's Case Cookus found Devin Gray in the end zone for a touchdown two plays later. The Stars attempted and converted a two-point conversion.[6] This gave Philadelphia a 23–20 lead, their first of the game. Following a pair of field goals and a 26–23 lead with under three minutes remaining, Scooby Wright had a 46-yard interception returned for a touchdown to seal the game for the Stallions effectively.[7][8] Victor Bolden Jr. won the USFL Championship Game Most Valuable Player Award.

Following the 2022 season, the Stallions hired Zachary Potter. He previously held the title of team director during the Stallions 2022 season.[9]

In September 2023, Axios reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons.[10] Officials in Birmingham were assured that the Stallions would be part of the merged league should the union go forward.[11] On September 28, 2023, the XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge with details surrounding the merger to be announced at a later date.[12] The merger would also require regulatory approval.[13] In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League".[14] On November 30, 2023, Garcia announced via her Instagram page that the leagues had received regulatory approval for the merger and were finalizing plans for a "combined season" to begin March 30, 2024.[15] The merger was made official on December 31, 2023.[16]

The Stallions (right) lined up on offense before a snap during a game against the Houston Roughnecks in 2024

Traditions[edit]

Pyramid of Flesh[edit]

On April 20, 2024 the Stallions hosted a game against the D.C. Defenders at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, AL. With 1:55 remaining in the first half, the game was halted for a lightning delay.[17] By the time play resumed nearly 90 minutes later, most fans had left the stadium. However of the few devoted fans who remained, a group of men had gathered near the North endzone, taking off their wet shirts and cheering enthusiastically.[18] Having received such significant air time in the game broadcast, a tradition was born. Later dubbed the "Pyramid of Flesh",[19] during each home game at the front row of Section 138 a small group of shirtless fans begins to gather. As the game goes on, as other fans join the group, they are serenaded with chants of "TAKE IT OFF!" until they join the ranks of the shirtless. By the end of most games the Pyramid of Flesh has typically grown to include several dozen fans. The loudest and most passionate group in the stadium, they are often acknowledged by players as well as the Stallions' mascot, Stanley.

Championships[edit]

The Stallions have won two USFL Championships and one UFL Championship as well as two (USFL) South Division Championships and one (UFL) USFL Conference Championship, winning three championships in a row from 2022 to 2024.

USFL Championships[edit]

Year Coach USFL Championship Game Stadium Location Opponent Score MVP Record
2022 Skip Holtz 2022 Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, Ohio Philadelphia Stars 33–30 Victor Bolden Jr. 9–1
2023 Skip Holtz 2023 Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, Ohio Pittsburgh Maulers 28–12 Deon Cain 8–2
Total USFL championships won: 2

UFL Championship[edit]

Year Coach UFL Championship Game Stadium Location Opponent Score MVP Record
2024 Skip Holtz 2024 The Dome at America's Center St. Louis, Missouri San Antonio Brahmas 25–0 Adrian Martinez 9–1
Total UFL championships won: 1

South Division Championship games[edit]

Year Coach Stadium Location Opponent Score Record
2022 Skip Holtz Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium Canton, Ohio New Orleans Breakers 31–17 9–1
2023 Skip Holtz Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama New Orleans Breakers 47–22 8–2
Total South Division championship games won: 2

USFL Conference Championship game[edit]

Year Coach Stadium Location Opponent Score Record
2024 Skip Holtz Protective Stadium Birmingham, Alabama Michigan Panthers 31-18 9–1
Total USFL Conference championship games won: 1

Current roster[edit]

Players[edit]

Birmingham Stallions roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists




Roster updated June 18, 2024

52 active

Staff[edit]

2024 Birmingham Stallions staff

Front office

  • General manager – Zach Potter

Head coaches

  • Head coach/co-offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks – Skip Holtz

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches


Player history[edit]

Current NFL players[edit]

Season Pos Name NFL Team
2022 CB Tae Hayes New York Jets
2022–2023 K Brandon Aubrey Dallas Cowboys
2023 WR Austin Watkins Philadelphia Eagles
2023 DT Khalil Davis Houston Texans
2023 QB Alex McGough Green Bay Packers
2023 WR Davion Davis Washington Commanders
2023 TE La'Michael Pettway New England Patriots
2024 K Ramiz Ahmed Washington Commanders
2022–2024 DE Dondrea Tillman Denver Broncos
2023–2024 RB Ricky Person Jr. Seattle Seahawks

Notable players[edit]

Season Pos Name Notes
2023–present TE Jace Sternberger Former Green Bay Packers Tight End, 2019 3rd Round Pick
2024–present WR Amari Rodgers Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver, 2021 3rd Round Pick
2024–present QB Matt Corral Former Carolina Panthers Quarterback, 2022 3rd Round Pick
2024–present DE Taco Charlton Former Dallas Cowboys Defensive End, 2017 1st Round Pick

MVP award winners[edit]

Stallions USFL MVP winners
Year Player Position Selector
2023 Alex McGough QB USFL
2024 Adrian Martinez QB UFL

Coach history[edit]

Head coach history[edit]

# Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards
GC W L Win % GC W L
Birmingham Stallions
1 Skip Holtz 2022–present 30 26 4 .867 5 5 0 *2023 USFL Coach of the Year

Offensive coordinator history[edit]

# Name Term Regular season Playoffs Notes
GC W L Win % GC W L
Birmingham Stallions
1 Skip Holtz 2022–present 30 26 4 .867 5 5 0 *Co-Offensive Coordinator with Philip Montgomery
2 Philip Montgomery 2024–present 10 9 1 .900 1 1 – *Co-Offensive Coordinator with Skip Holtz

*Holtz also serving as Offensive Coordinator

Defensive coordinator history[edit]

# Name Term Regular season Playoffs Awards
GC W L Win % GC W L
Birmingham Stallions
1 John Chavis 2022–2024 27 24 3 .889 5 5 0
2 Corey Chamblin 2024–present 3 2 1 .667 1 1 0

*Chavis left team Week 9 [20]

Records[edit]

All-time Stallions leaders
Leader Player Record Years with Stallions
Passing Yards Alex McGough 2,564 passing yards 2022–2023
Passing Touchdowns Alex McGough 23 passing touchdowns 2022–2023
Rushing Yards C. J. Marable 1,219 rushing yards 2022–present
Rushing Touchdowns C. J. Marable 11 rushing touchdowns 2022–present
Receiving Yards Jace Sternberger 1,428 receiving yards 2023
Receiving Touchdowns Jace Sternberger 8 receiving touchdowns 2023–present
Receptions C. J. Marable 66 receptions 2022–present
Tackles DeMarquis Gates 99 tackles 2022–present
Sacks DeMarquis Gates 8.5 sacks 2022–present
Interceptions A. J. Thomas 3 interceptions 2024–present
Coaching wins Skip Holtz 26 wins 2022–present
Celebrations Birmingham Stallions receiving the 2022 Usfl trophy on the championship podium.
2022 USFL Championship trophy presentation

Statistics and records[edit]

Season-by-season record[edit]

UFL champions† (2024–present) USFL champions§ (2022–2023) Conference champions* Division champions^ Wild Card berth#
Season Team League Conference Division Regular season Postseason results Awards Head coaches Pct.
Finish W L
2022 2022 USFL South 1st ^*§ 9 1 Won Division Finals (Breakers) 31–17
Won 2022 USFL Championship (Stars) 33–30 		J'Mar Smith (SDF MVP)
Victor Bolden Jr. (CG MVP) 		Skip Holtz .867
2023 2023 USFL South 1st ^*§ 8 2 Won Division Finals (Breakers) 47–22
Won 2023 USFL Championship (Maulers) 28–12 		Alex McGough (USFL MVP)
Skip Holtz (COTY)
Deon Cain (CG MVP)
2024 2024 UFL USFL 1st # 9 1 Won USFL Conference Championship (Panthers) 31-18
Won 2024 UFL Championship (Brahmas) 25-0 		Adrian Martinez (UFL MVP)
Total 26 4 All-time regular season record (2022–2024) .867
5 0 All-time postseason record (2022–2024) 1.000
31 4 All-time regular season and postseason record (2022–2024) .886
2 USFL Championship titles, 2 division titles

References[edit]

  1. ^ "USFL unveils team cities, nicknames and logos for 2022 debut". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  2. ^ Chizik, Gene [@CoachGeneChizik] (January 6, 2022). "Addressing a rumor this morning. I am honored that the new @USFL is interested in me for a HC position. We have had several discussions. Although this is a consideration, nothing has been finalized… #Facts" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "North Carolina Tar Heels football names Gene Chizik assistant head coach for defense". ESPN. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  4. ^ "What you need to know for USFL in 2022:Two more head coaches revealed". Fox Sports. January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "USFL Playoffs 2022 score, highlights: Birmingham Stallions defeat New Orleans Breakers 31–17". www.sports.nbcsports.com. NBC Universal. June 25, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  6. ^ Jones, Alex (July 3, 2022). "Birmingham Stallions win 2022 USFL Championship over the Philadelphia Stars". WBRC. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  7. ^ Moseley, Brandon (3 July 2023). "Birmingham Stallions win second straight USFL championship". Alabama Today. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  8. ^ Haage, Anthony (25 March 2024). "UFL Title Odds for 2024 - Birmingham Favored to Three-Peat". Gambling Sites. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  9. ^ "USFL hires new general managers for two teams". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  10. ^ Baysinger, Tim; Primack, Dan; Fischer, Sara (September 19, 2023). "Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks". Axios. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  11. ^ Johnson, Roy S. (2023-09-22). "Will Birmingham Stallions be part of possible USFL-XFL merged league?". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  12. ^ TSN ca Staff (2023-09-28). "XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge". TSN. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  13. ^ Schad, Tom (2023-09-28). "XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league". USA Today. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  14. ^ "XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL'". San Antonio Express-News. October 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks". Instagram.
  16. ^ "USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL". Yahoo Sports. 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  17. ^ "Defenders vs. Stallions highlights: Birmingham remains undefeated".
  18. ^ @TheUFL (April 21, 2024). "A bunch of real ones 👊" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ @arielle_schafer (June 7, 2024). "Skip Holtz gives a shoutout to the Horsemen and the Pyramid of Flesh on creating a contagious environment at Protective this season...🏈" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Miller, Luke (2024-05-28). "Birmingham Stallions Lose DC John Chavis, Add Anthony Blevins". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
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