Category: Alternative Football

Birmingham coach Skip Holtz likes to call Alex McGough “the first Stallion.” And when you’re talking about the modern version of the United States Football League, he is exactly that.

The inaugural quarterback draft of the fledgling league was held on February 22, 2022, and Birmingham had the sixth pick.

McGough was Holtz’s guy.

“I actually played against Coach Holtz twice when he was at Louisiana Tech, and I always loved his offense,” McGough said after donning a Stallions cap and meeting with media members at Protective Stadium. “There’s a lot of passing, which I love, and he’s got a lot of energy. He’s so positive, and I can’t wait to get out there and learn from him.”

Unfortunately for the seventh-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, once the 2022 season got under way in April, QB1 soon became QB2 due to injuries.

J’Mar Smith took the reins and became a  breakout star for Birmingham, throwing for 1,572 yards and 10 touchdowns. Even when McGough got healthy enough to play, he was doing so off the bench.

“Last year I prepared like I was going to start … I didn’t act like I was a backup,” McGough said. “So that way if I had to play, I was ready. So, it’s just the same week for me.”

But what’s the expression … it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish?

When Smith got dinged up during the 2022 title game against Philadelphia, McGough came in and played a major role in the Stallions’ thrilling 33-30 victory.

That was a harbinger of things to come.

When the 2023 campaign dawned, McGough was still backing up Smith. However, a season-ending injury to the starter in the opening game against New Jersey put the ball back in McGough’s hands.

To say he’s made the most of his latest opportunity is a monumental understatement.

Entering Sunday’s South Division title game against New Orleans, McGough was 180-267-5 passing for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He was also the Stallions’ second-leading rusher, tallying 403 yards and five TDs.

In the 47-22 blowout of the Breakers, he went 21-31-0 through the air for 310 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 84 yards and a TD before being lifted in favor of Jalen Morton with under three minutes remaining.

It was one of the finest all-around performances you’ll ever see, and the 27-year-old has turned in a bunch of great ones since April.

“What a pleasure for me to watch him play,” Holtz said. “Honestly, as a football coach, what a pleasure it is for me to watch him play. When things break down, when protection breaks down, he can make things happen on his own and that’s where the artistic nature of him comes in. I’m just really proud of him.”

Beyond the other-worldly stats, a perfect example of what McGough brings to the party came in the second quarter when he suffered a bloody nose after having his helmet pulled off by the facemask.

As he left the field, he pumped his arms, jumped up and down and hyped up the crowd.

Then – after sitting out a play – he came back in and promptly called his own number on a QB carry around end.

“I also know that he’s a guy that’s painting this absolute Rembrandt out there but he’s also going to go down there and try and run over somebody,” Holtz said.

If McGough isn’t named the USFL’s Most Valuable Player when the award is announced next Friday, it’ll be a huge miscarriage of spring football justice.

So, what’s next for McGough – after next Saturday’s USFL championship game, I mean?

Except for a month on the Houston Texans’ active roster in 2019, his NFL experience is of the practice squad variety.

Yes, one has to be an elite signal caller to land a roster spot in football’s biggest league, but McGough has put in the work.

“He was in the quarterback room when I was with the (Jacksonville) Jaguars in 2019,” New Orleans coach John DeFilippo said. “So, I know Alex and I’m proud of Alex. I know he kicked our butt tonight, but there’s a piece of me that’s proud of him. He’s done a tremendous job of not turning the ball over or putting the ball in harm’s way.

“And obviously, we had a hard time containing him tonight. He got out to the right and out to the left and out to the middle.”

As much as Birmingham would love to have him back in 2024 – any pro spring league would want him on their roster – he’s done everything he’s been asked to do at this level, and more.

That’s not to say he won’t get caught in a numbers game and rock Stallions colors for a third consecutive year, but man, it seems like there’s gotta be a spot for him somewhere among the 32 franchises. His combination of skill, attitude and leadership is a recipe for success.

And as a big fan of the Canadian Football League, I’d love to see him get a north-of-the-border gig if the NFL doesn’t work out.

Quarterbacks who pass well, run well and do both without fear can thrive in the three-down game. I think he could not only be a starter right off the bat, but an impact player.

Regardless of where McGough hangs his helmet in 2024, he’s already proven so much – to his coaches, his teammates, even himself. He’s a worker and a winner … a team-first guy you want around and need around.

The first Stallion?

As it turns out, Holtz – and Birmingham – couldn’t have made a better choice.

The Birmingham Stallions (8-2) and New Orleans Breakers (7-3) just can’t seem to get out of each other’s way.

Sunday night the teams will square off in the United States Football League South Division championship game at Protective Stadium, marking the second consecutive season the teams have clashed in the playoffs.

It’s also their sixth meeting overall (Birmingham holds a 4-1 lead in the series), making this the most frequent rivalry in the modern USFL’s two-year history. Birmingham is riding a five-game winning streak, while New Orleans has won three straight.

The Stallions lost to the Breakers, 45-31, in Week Three but came away with a 24-20 victory in Week Seven.

The rubber game of the 2023 season is all that matters now.

“This will be our third time this year and six times in two years that we’ve played,” said Birmingham coach Skip Holtz, who was named USFL Coach of the Year on Thursday. “I’m very familiar with what they do with Jon Tenuta, who I think does an unbelievable job as a defense coordinator. They were the number one defense in this league, and they’ve got aggressive linebackers. They’re very aggressive in the secondary and like to set the tempo. Offensively, they’ve got the top back in the league (Wes Hills), they’ve got a great run game and a very experienced quarterback (McLeod Bethel-Thompson) whose been in these pressure type situations before and is very efficient throwing the football to high-powered receivers on the outside. What’s the weakness? You know what I mean? It’s not like you’re gonna go in and dominate a team like that.”

All-USFL QB Alex McGough has been remarkable for the Stallions all season long, and continues to lead the league in passing touchdowns (20) and points (150). He’s thrown for 2,104 yards while rushing for 403 yards and five more scores.

He’s not just in the conversation as league MVP, but the first name to come up when the conversation starts.

“I think the biggest challenge preparing for them is that we’re playing the same team three times,” McGough said. “It’s just figuring out what are they going to do to try to change up or if they continue with what they thought worked and what they thought didn’t work … you know, it’s just a chess game at this point. But we’re just trying to go out and execute.”

Although it’s an all-or-nothing affair, McGough says he’s approaching the playoff game the same way he approaches all of them.

“I’ve been saying this since the beginning, I treat every game like it’s a championship game,” he said. “So that way, when we get into the situation, it’s just another week. I’m just trying to go out and execute the game plan. I’m just trying to lock in on what I need to do each and every day, and focus on the specifics of that day so I can go out and execute on game day.”

Jace Sternberger, also an All-USFL selection, leads the USFL in receiving touchdowns and is second on the team in pass-catching yards with 517. Davion Davis, a nominee for USFL Sportsman of the Year, leads the corps with 575 yards and four TDs.

C.J. Marable has scored three touchdowns on the ground while racking up 524 yards, and has 28 receptions for 235 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Kicker Brandon Aubrey remains perfect on PATs (35-for-35) and has hit 14 of 15 field goal attempts, while Colby Wadman averages 48.7 yards per punt. Wadman and long snapper Ryan Langan joined McGough and Sternberger in being named to the All-USFL Team on Wednesday.

Safety Christian McFarland leads the Birmingham defense with 33 solo tackles and 55 in all. Both cornerback Nate Brooks and safety Tyree Robinson have 29 individual takedowns and safety Nate Holley, 28.

“They’re well-coached, they have an explosive quarterback, they’re good on defense … it’s going to be a formidable opponent for us,” Breakers coach John DeFilippo said. “We know each other personally because we share a hotel with them. It’s going to be a great game, great atmosphere and great game for our league. It’s a game between the two best teams in our league.”

As Holtz suggests, however, DeFilippo’s team is loaded, too.

Bethel-Thompson is the USFL leader in passing yardage with 2,433 yards, and has thrown 14 TD passes against eight interceptions.

Sage Surratt and Jonathan Williams have combined for more than 1,000 receiving yards, but Johnnie Dixon has been Bethel-Thompson’s most productive target, coming up big with 463 yards and five touchdowns.

Hills spearheads the ground attack with 10 touchdowns on 680 yards.

The Breakers defense can be smothering, led by linebacker Vontae Diggs (38 solo tackles), linebacker Jerod Fernandez (37) and safety Jarey Elder (34).

New Orleans has allowed just 170 points all season, best among the eight teams. That will be tested against Birmingham’s league-leading 332.6 yards per game.

“I think we’re gonna play extremely hard and I know we’re playing one of the better teams in this league,” Holtz said. “We’ve had some dog fights with them and know it’s gonna come down to the end. Nothing but respect for the New Orleans Breakers.”

Coverage begins at 6 p.m. Sunday on FOX.

PLAYER STATUS (via Stallions Twitter)

Free Agent Signing: WR Peyton Ramzy.

Transferred Player to Active Roster: WR Josh Johnson, WR Adrian Hardy, CB Lorenzo Burns, LB Scooby Wright, DT Keyshon Camp, LB Elijah Sullivan.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: WR Peyton Ramzy, WR Michael Dereus, CB Bryan Mills, LB Brody Buck, DE Joe Ozougwu.

Transferred Player to Injured Reserve List: WR Myron Mitchell.

Game status: OL Jahmir Ross-Johnson: Out (R Shoulder), WR Myron Mitchell: Out (L Hand), DE Jonathan Newsome: Out (R Knee), S Christian McFarland: Probable (L Thumb), S JoJo Tillery: Probable (L Knee), RB Ricky Person Jr.: Probable (L Hip), LB Elijah Sullivan: Probable (Low Back), LB Scooby Wright: Probable (L Calf), QB Alex McGough: Probable (R Hand), S TJ Carter: Probable (R Groin, R Heel), OL Matt Kaskey: Probable (R Groin).

PLAYER STATUS (via Breakers Twitter)

Transferred Player to Active Roster: LB Shaheed Salmon, LB Justus Reed.

Transferred Player to Inactive Roster: LB Zakoby McClain, DT Christian Connor.

Game status: LB Shaheed Salmon: Probable (R Shoulder), OL Kirk Kelley: Probable (R Knee), WR Eli Stove: Full Go (Head), S Jarey Elder: Probable (L Shoulder), DE Justus Reed: Probable (L Knee), S James Wiggins: Questionable (R Shoulder).

Despite devastating injuries at the start of the season and a continuous parade of walking wounded, the Birmingham Stallions have managed to secure the best record in the United States Football League at 8-2.

As of today, they can also claim to have the league’s best coach, too.

Skip Holtz was named the 2023 Coach of the Year this afternoon, with USFL president of football operations Daryl Johnston making the announcement following Thursday’s practice at Legion Field.

“One thing I’ve always said about the Birmingham Stallions is you’re a tight-knit group,” Johnston said while addressing the players. “Last year you were the first team to come together, had a great start, and nobody could catch you. This year it was the reverse – you had a lot of adversity at the beginning of the season but those tight bonds carried you through that.

“I’m a huge culture and chemistry guy when it comes to teams, and that’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to the USFL Coach of the Year, Skip Holtz.”

Holtz will lead Birmingham against the New Orleans Breakers (7-3) Sunday in the South Division Championship Game at Protective Stadium. Under his guidance, the Stallions finished the 2022 campaign 11-1 and claimed the first championship of the circuit’s modern iteration. His 19-3 record is far and way the best among USFL coaches.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Holtz said. “It’s great to be acknowledged and accolades are great. I’m appreciative, and very grateful to this team. Last year we were trying to put a team together in February and in March we started practice and played in April.

“This year has been a totally new list of challenges where we lost about 30 percent of our team the first couple weeks of the season and having to replace a quarterback and receiver and a lot of guys that were on our leadership council, but it’s a real testament to these players. And as I told them, I’m getting the award, but this is theirs for the job they’ve done. Their buy-in factor is off the charts.”

Holtz logged a 152-121 record as a college head coach, earning Conference USA Coach of the Year honors while at Louisiana Tech in 2016.

He coached teams to two league and six division titles as well as eight bowl victories during his NCAA football career, and now hopes to guide the Stallions to back-to-back professional crowns.

That, he says, is far more important than any coach of the year nods.

“I’m honored, but the one that matters is that award at the end,” Holtz said. “The main goal is that trophy at the end of the year, because that’s the one that everybody will have the opportunity to share.”