Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz is excited to reunite with quarterback Alex McGough as the team heads into the 2025 UFL season. Holtz, who has guided the Stallions to three consecutive league championships—two in the former USFL and one in the current UFL—has also coached two MVP quarterbacks during this period.
Holtz and McGough first crossed paths when Holtz was coaching at Louisiana Tech. McGough caught Holtz’s eye with impressive performances, including one game where he completed 29 of 44 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, and another where he threw for 281 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. These performances led Holtz to select McGough as the first overall pick in the 2022 USFL Draft.
Despite an injury sidelining McGough earlier in 2022, he became one of the key players in the UFL, a league where athletes continue to compete at a high level in hopes of returning to the NFL. After helping the Stallions win their second USFL Championship in 2023, McGough earned a spot with the Green Bay Packers. After two seasons with the Packers, McGough is back with the Stallions, and Holtz couldn’t be more thrilled to have him leading the team once again.
Holtz explained that in Year 3, he no longer just focuses on the big picture but on the finer details. With more experience under his belt, McGough is now helping guide both returning players and newcomers, offering advice to keep everyone on the same page.
McGough will have plenty of talent at his disposal in the passing game, with key players such as former Clemson standout Amari Rodgers, Texas A&M All-American Jace Sternberger, and 2023 USFL Championship MVP Deon Cain. In addition, McGough’s mobility will help extend plays and support the Stallions’ running game.
Heading into Year 4, the Stallions are the favorite to win the UFL title, with many expecting them to get even stronger as new players adjust to the league’s condensed training schedule. Under Holtz, Birmingham has a 32-4 record, setting a standard for both winning and player development. Holtz’s former staff members have moved on to significant roles, with Zach Potter becoming the GM at Sacramento State, Philip Montgomery taking the offensive coordinator position at Virginia Tech, and Bill Johnson joining the Chicago Bears after helping win a UFL title with Holtz.
While other coaches might feel pressure to maintain a winning streak, Holtz stays focused on winning the next game and improving along the way. “We’re here to win the next game—and we want to win it,” he said. “But I don’t feel a huge amount of pressure… We’re trying to win every game we play, but I don’t sit up in front of this team and say our only goal is to win a championship.”
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