Kevin Sumlin is back on the sidelines-and back in Houston.
The former Arizona Wildcats and Texas A&M head coach has been named the new head coach of the UFL’s Houston Gamblers, marking his second stint with the team. Sumlin previously led the Gamblers during their 2022 USFL season, finishing with a 3-7 record. Now, as the team transitions into the United Football League, Sumlin gets another shot to steer the ship-and this time, the expectations are higher.
This move feels like a full-circle moment for Sumlin. His coaching roots run deep in Houston, where he first made a national name for himself leading the University of Houston Cougars from 2008 to 2011.
Under Sumlin, the Cougars posted two double-digit win seasons and became one of the most exciting offenses in college football. That success earned him the Texas A&M job in 2012, where he helped usher the Aggies into the SEC era with a splash.
Sumlin’s early years at A&M were electric. He coached Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and posted an 11-2 record in his first season, instantly raising the program’s national profile.
But sustaining that momentum proved difficult. After a string of seasons that didn’t quite meet expectations, Texas A&M parted ways with Sumlin in November 2017.
Arizona came calling shortly after. Sumlin took over the Wildcats program in 2018, replacing Rich Rodriguez.
But his tenure in Tucson was rocky from the start. Over three seasons, Sumlin went 9-20, with the low point coming in 2020 when Arizona went winless (0-6) and suffered a 70-7 loss to rival Arizona State in the Territorial Cup-a defeat that still stings in the desert.
Following his time at Arizona, Sumlin returned to the assistant coaching ranks, joining Maryland as associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator. He spent two seasons there, helping guide a Big Ten offense while continuing to bring his quarterback-friendly philosophy to the table. However, his time in College Park wasn’t without controversy-he was arrested for driving under the influence in October 2023.
Now, Sumlin gets another opportunity to lead a team-this time in a league looking to establish itself as a spring football mainstay. The UFL, formed from the merger of the USFL and XFL, presents a fresh stage, and the Houston Gamblers are hoping Sumlin’s experience and offensive pedigree can give them an edge.
This is more than just a return to a familiar city. It’s a chance for Sumlin to reset, to show he can still lead a locker room, and to prove that his offensive mind still has juice in today’s evolving game. The Gamblers are betting on that-and Sumlin’s betting on himself.