Just in time for the new UFL player personnel disbursement process starting next week, all of the teams in the UFL now have a head coach. Earlier this week, Rick Neuheisel was named the new head coach of the Dallas Renegades, and Chris Redman was named the head coach of the Louisville Kings. Those coaching selections left the Houston Gamblers as the only UFL team without a head coach announced.
That changed when Pro Football Talk and other media outlets reported that Kevin Sumlin had been named the Houston Gamblers’ new head coach. 2026 is a season of flashbacks for UFL fans in Houston, Texas. The Gamblers’ name and brand have returned after the Roughnecks brand and name were replaced. And now Sumlin returns to lead the Houston Gamblers after last coaching the Gamblers during the 2022 USFL season.
In an interview on Zoom, Sumlin took time to answer questions about his plans for reinvigorating the Houston Gamblers in the UFL. In addition, Sumlin aligns with the new UFL initiative to build closer connections with each team’s local fan base. For Sumlin, coming to the UFL is a chance to return as a head coach and show that he has what it takes to lead a championship team.
During today’s interview, Sumlin said he has a list of quarterbacks in mind he would like to see with the Gamblers, but he did not share any names. Next week, on January 5th, the UFL will be working with each team’s head coach to assign three quarterbacks to each team for the 2026 season. The next step will be to start building the rest of each team’s roster for the 2026 season. Currently, Sumlin is beginning the process of contacting and discussing with potential candidates to find the right coaches to make up the Gamblers coaching staff for the 2026 season.
Sumlin’s Past Head Coaching Experience
Kevin Sumlin is not new to leading a football team as a head coach, and it is also not his first time coaching the Houston Gamblers. In 2022, Sumlin coached the Gamblers during the USFL season, and the Gamblers finished with a 3-7 record. In addition to his USFL coaching experience, Sumlin has established himself as a successful head coach in Texas, primarily at the college level.
From 2008 to 2011, Sumlin was the head coach of the University of Houston Cougars, and he was directly connected to the success of quarterback Case Keenum. While coaching for the Cougars, Sumlin had a record of 35-17. In 2012, Sumlin moved on to become the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, where he coached Johnny Manziel and compiled a 51-26 record. Sumlin’s next stop was the University of Arizona, where he led the Wildcats to a 9-20 record. Most recently, Sumlin served as the Assistant Head Coach and Co-Offensive Coordinator at the University of Maryland.
What Gamblers’ Fans can Expect from Sumlin in 2026?
Kevin Sumlin has been closely associated with the Air Raid offense during his coaching career. But heading into the UFL season, Sumlin mentioned that there is a need for some heavy personnel sets to pick up short yardage plays and on the goal line. While Sumlin definitely plans on implementing a pass-heavy offense, the personnel that Sumlin ends up with on this year’s roster will determine the specific style of play for the Gamblers.
Next week, Sumlin and his coaching staff will have a chance to start building their 2026 team by selecting quarterbacks. Then the Gamblers will have the opportunity to obtain the rights to players who played for college football teams that Houston has been allotted to work with, in order to pick up players with local ties to the Houston Community. In addition, the Gamblers will have a chance to draft current UFL players and free agents looking to start their career in the UFL in 2026.
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1 Comment
by 4th&long
Not a sexy hire for UFL I can see why they saved this for last and NY’s eve.
But He’ll do and It’s another long time coach with experience to match with the newbies.
Houston has their coach. Perhaps AJ Smith lands somewhere as well as QB or OC coach.