A.J. McCarron Named Head Coach of Birmingham Stallions, Begins New Chapter in Home State
A.J. McCarron is trading in his helmet for a headset - and he’s doing it in a place that’s always had his back.
Just two seasons removed from suiting up for the Cincinnati Bengals, McCarron is stepping into a new role as the head coach of the Birmingham Stallions in the United Football League. The announcement came Thursday, and with it, a new era begins for one of the UFL’s premier spring football franchises. The 2026 season kicks off March 27, and McCarron will be at the helm.
He takes over for Skip Holtz, who resigned earlier this week after leading the Stallions to a strong run of success. McCarron made it clear he’s not just inheriting a team - he’s embracing a legacy.
“This game has given me so much as a player, and now I am ready to give back as a coach,” McCarron said in a statement. “It’s even more special that I get to do that while representing my home state - a state that has supported me throughout my career.”
McCarron’s ties to Alabama run deep. Before his professional journey began, he led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national championships in 2011 and 2012, cementing his name in college football lore. That success propelled him into the NFL, where he was selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 Draft.
His time in Cincinnati spanned from 2015 to 2017, highlighted by three regular-season starts in 2015 and a playoff start that same year. While he wasn’t a long-term starter, McCarron showed poise under pressure and earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike.
After his stint with the Bengals, McCarron bounced around the league, spending time with the Bills, Raiders, Texans, and Falcons. But it was in the UFL - specifically with the St.
Louis Battlehawks - where he found a second wind in his playing career. He suited up for them in 2023 and again in 2024, showcasing veteran leadership and a steady hand at quarterback.
In a full-circle moment, the Bengals brought him back into the fold late in the 2023 season, signing him to the practice squad in November. He was elevated to the active roster in December and appeared in two games, completing 4 of 5 passes for 19 yards. His run with Cincinnati officially ended in February 2024 when he was released, and he returned to the Battlehawks for one final season.
Now, McCarron is ready to lead from the sidelines - and he’s doing it with the same competitive edge that defined his playing days.
“Our team will build upon the amazing legacy of Skip Holtz,” McCarron said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Holtz, what he has done for the league and for the Stallions. I am ready to put in the work that will continue producing championship wins for the city of Birmingham.”
It’s a natural next step for a player who’s been through the grind of NFL quarterback rooms, tasted postseason pressure, and found new life in spring football. McCarron knows what it takes to win - and now, he’ll be tasked with teaching it.
For Birmingham, it’s a homegrown hire with championship pedigree. For McCarron, it’s a chance to write the next chapter - not under center, but from the sideline, where he’ll look to build something lasting in a state that’s always been part of his story.