The eight original UFL franchises are set to make a comeback in 2025, but there is no guarantee that their coaches will be returning with them. As of June 30, all UFL head coaches have become free agents as their one-year contracts expired. Even if they do return, they won’t start working until January 1, 2025. This setup allows the league to save costs on employment as the coaches are only paid for part of the year and are not officially employed during the offseason, giving them the freedom to leave if they desire.
As a single-entity operation, the UFL handles all hiring and firing decisions. Not all of the current coaches may be brought back for the next season, and some coaches may choose to depart on their own. Transitioning to the NFL or college football in July can be challenging without unexpected coaching vacancies. While players may find it easier to make the jump due to scheduling differences, teams typically do not hire coaches deep into the offseason. However, if a coach catches the attention of a team, they may still be offered a position.
Coaches like Skip Holtz, Wade Phillips, Anthony Becht, and Mike Nolan are now available for any NFL team that may be interested in hiring them. Their future job prospects remain uncertain as they wait to see what opportunities may arise in the coming months.
The UFL’s single-entity structure has its advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it allows for more centralized control over coaching decisions and eliminates conflicts between team owners and league officials. On the other hand, it means that coaches have less job security than they would in a traditional league structure where individual team owners have more power over hiring decisions.
Overall, it remains to be seen how many of these eight original franchises will return in 2025 and who will coach them. But one thing is certain: The UFL’s coaching pool is wide open for any NFL team looking for fresh blood on their staffs