Ex-Bengals QB A.J. McCarron hired to coach UFL's Birmingham Stallions

by · UPI

Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The Birmingham Stallions hired former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron as their head coach, the United Football League announced Thursday.

Former Stallions coach Skip Holtz announced Tuesday that he was stepping down from after four seasons. That run included three-consecutive titles, including two in the USFL and one in the UFL.

McCarron announced Wednesday that he ended his campaign for lieutenant governor of Alabama to accept an undisclosed role in football.

"I am excited about this new opportunity with the UFL," McCarron said in a news release. "This game has given me so much as a player, and now I am ready to give back as a coach. 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.

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"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, 35, won three national titles as quarterback at Alabama. He joined the Bengals as a fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He also played for the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons. McCarron played for the St. Louis Battlehawks during their XFL tenure in 2023 and in the UFL in 2024.

McCarron led the XFL in passing touchdowns (24), completion percentage (68.8%) and passer rating (108.4) in 2023.

"A.J. McCarron is a part of the fabric of winning football that is woven throughout the state of Alabama," UFL president Russ Brandon said.

"It is only appropriate that a winner like A.J. takes over the reins of the three-time champion Birmingham Stallions as they embark upon a new era."

McCarron said Wednesday that he "may return to the political playing field" once his football career has "truly run its course."

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