The XFL has officially unveiled its list of head coaches for their 2023 return to action. While individual team assignments have not been announced, the league has finalized the hiring of all eight head coaches as part of their brand reboot under Dany Garcia and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Patrolling the sidelines for the eight franchises in 2023 will be: Wade Phillips, Jim Haslett, Terrell Buckley, Hines Ward, Rod Woodson, Anthony Becht, Reggie Barlow, and Bob Stoops.
The XFL has made waves this week as it attempts to steal some of the headlines away from the rival USFL which is set to kick off this Saturday. Amongst the league’s announcements were the hiring of Fox Sports rules analyst, and former NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino, and a partnership with the NFL’s Alumni Academy.
With Johnson & Garcia at the helm, the XFL has been steadily building out the brand in an effort to make a lasting product outside the NFL. The two partnered with RedBird Capital to purchase the league out of bankruptcy court for $15M in 2020.
“Our head coaches are a diverse group of leaders, champions and hall of famers with experience competing and coaching at the highest level in football. Not only will they be mentors to our players, but they are also ambassadors of the XFL as we work together to build tomorrow’s league,” said Dany Garcia, Co-Owner and Chairwoman of the XFL. “What is most exciting about our talented coaches is that they all share our vision for the XFL and are committed to advancing the game of football for players and making it into a must-watch program for fans. The XFL is anchored in the belief of opportunity, and, just like our players, these football legends will drive the future of the game.”
“This is yet another huge moment for the XFL. I have experienced first-hand the positive influence and impact that coaches can have on a player’s life, and with our group of smart, accomplished and motivating head coaches, I expect nothing less. Not only will these coaches be mentors to our players, but they will be a big part of the cities in which we will operate. Stay tuned,” said Dwayne Johnson.
Johnson & Garcia mark the third different ownership group in charge of the fledgling league. Originally launched by Vince McMahon in 2001, the first iteration of the XFL folded after only one season with WWF and NBC each losing a reported $35M in the process.
The league then relaunched in 2020 under the ownership of Alpha Entertainment, but was seriously hindered by the global pandemic and its restrictions on gatherings. This led to the third instalment of the league with RedBird Capital acquiring the brand out of bankruptcy and appointing Johnson & Garcia as company leads.
The former wrestler has been busy laying the groundwork for the league’s reboot to work as a partner with other professional football leagues as opposed to a rival startup in the months following his appointment.
While a potential merger with the CFL was ultimately shelved, several partnerships with the NFL, including the recently announced Alumni Academy deal, have already put the league on sturdier ground than previous incarnations.
The XFL will kick off its inaugural season under new management in February of 2023.