New Birmingham Stallions head coach AJ McCarron joined McElroy and Kubik in the Morning on Jox 94.5 yesterday. McCarron revealed he spoke with UFL owner Mike Repole that morning about the team’s future, expects an answer on a defensive coordinator hire, and addressed the real possibility of the Stallions relocating if attendance does not improve. The full interview is available on the Jox 94.5 podcast through the Jox mobile app and on YouTube by searching “Jox 94.5 TV.”
On His Morning Call with Mike Repole
McCarron opened the interview by revealing he had already been in direct contact with UFL ownership about the franchise’s direction.
“What’s up, Jay? Yeah, it’s an unbelievable honor. It’s a great challenge. I’ve been on the phone this morning with Rople and talking about the future, and I’m just super excited for the city of Birmingham and the challenge we have ahead of us.”
This detail confirms McCarron has direct access to Repole and is already involved in high-level discussions about the Stallions’ future. The timing of this call—on the morning of his first media appearance as head coach—signals how quickly the organization is moving on 2026 planning.
On a Defensive Coordinator Hire Coming That Day
McCarron dropped news about his coaching staff that had not been reported elsewhere.
“I’m definitely taking a coach Saben mindset to this. And hopefully, I’m in talks. Hopefully, I get a big answer today. Later on, from a D coordinator standpoint, I think will make a big impact not only for our area, but in the league. And so I’m excited about that part of it. But I want us to surround myself with great coaches and allow them to do their deal.”
McCarron indicated the defensive coordinator candidate is someone with ties to the Birmingham area who could generate interest beyond football circles. He also confirmed he has already selected an offensive coordinator, though he did not name the hire.
On the Relocation Threat and Attendance Reality
McCarron did not shy away from discussing the attendance situation and what Repole has said about potentially moving the team.
“We got to get people in the seats at Protective Stadium. It’s just the truth behind it. Ropole has done a great job of firing up the fan base and talking about moving the fan base if we can get people in the seats. But that’s the biggest thing for me is we got to find a way for Alabama fans, Auburn fans, UAB, Troy, whoever we root for, South Alabama, it doesn’t matter. I want everybody to buy season tickets, come up, and support this team.”
McCarron followed up with a direct statement about the stakes: “It’s a challenge to keep it here in Birmingham, but I love challenges, and I like having to match Reploe mindset and attitude to this league, and it’s going to be awesome to be a part of.”
This is the clearest public acknowledgment from anyone in the organization that relocation is a real possibility if attendance does not improve. We have reported in the past how down the UFL front office is with the city of Birmingham, stadium and lack of attendance. Without a big turnaround in 2026, it could be over for the city. Especially if the new cities bring in big attendance numbers and fan interest.
On Turning Down Previous Coaching Offers
McCarron revealed this is not the first time he has been offered a coaching position.
“I’ve been asked to take some head coaching jobs of high schools down here. It just hasn’t been the right fit. And then I’ve been asked to help join pro staff, college staff. I’ve actually been offered a offensive coordinator job in college at a lower level, but it just wasn’t the time for me. It wasn’t As you know, I have three young boys, and I love being around my family. With this opportunity, it gives me a chance to get my feet wet and understand everything and also be during the spring and allow myself to be around my kids while they’re at a young age and still be able to coach them and everything else.”
The UFL’s spring schedule allows McCarron to coach football while being present for his family during the fall and winter. This timing was a factor in accepting the Stallions job over previous offers.
On How He Got the Call from Russ Brandon
McCarron shared the specific moment when he learned about the opportunity.
“I was actually on my way home, me and my wife, and from the Governor’s Christmas party in Montgomery and got a call from Russ Brandon and asked, Would I be interested? And football is my passion… My youngest, a lot of people don’t know this, but my youngest has level one autism, and it was a challenge for us to find help. That was my main goal in that. But I’ve gotten to know a ton of people in that world and going to help behind the scenes from that. But football is my passion. It’s what I love to do.”
UFL President Russ Brandon made the call directly to McCarron. McCarron also revealed publicly for the first time that his youngest son has level one autism, which had motivated his previous interest in pursuing politics to advocate for families with special needs children. What is also interesting is the timing. It’s not like they have been talking for months. Decisions on coaches are being made as we speak with not much lead time.
Reaction
McCarron will lead the Stallions into the 2026 season with training camp in Dallas beginning in February, less than two months away. He has big shoes to fill with no Skip Holtz, a great coach and ambassador for spring football. What McCarron brings is a name but zero coaching experience.
When the XFL went with names with zero coaching experience rather than veteran coaches in 2023 it brought the buzz but not the wins. If McCarron and the Stallions struggle in 2026, it could be bad for the city in 2027. He must get a staff full of NFL veteran assistant coaches.