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.”