AJ McCarron named head coach of Birmingham Stallions, steps back from politics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and NFL veteran AJ McCarron has officially been named the new head coach of the Birmingham Stallions, the team announced Thursday morning.

In a social media post simply titled “TAKING THE REINS,” the UFL team wrote:

“AJ McCarron is your Birmingham Stallions Head Coach #giddyup.”

The announcement confirms widespread speculation that McCarron was the leading candidate to replace longtime Stallions coach Skip Holtz, who stepped away from the role earlier this month after guiding the franchise to three consecutive spring football championships.

Holtz, who coached the Stallions through their USFL and UFL title runs, said he is not retiring but felt “this is simply the right time to pause, reflect, and look ahead.”

A Swift Return to Football

McCarron’s hiring comes just one day after he ended his campaign for Alabama lieutenant governor. In his announcement withdrawing from the race, McCarron revealed he was accepting a new opportunity in football, saying:

“Football is calling my name once again.”

He added that the demands of the position required “100% focus, commitment, and attention” — the same level he had planned to bring to public office.

McCarron, who led Alabama to national championships in 2012 and 2013, played nine seasons in the NFL and previously competed in spring football leagues before moving into coaching.

A New Chapter for the Stallions

McCarron will inherit a team that has dominated spring football under Holtz, winning titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024. His transition from player to head coach marks a significant new chapter for both McCarron and the franchise.

The Stallions have not yet released additional details about McCarron’s coaching staff or his immediate plans for the team, but the organization called him the right leader to carry on Birmingham’s winning culture.

Political Landscape Shifts

With McCarron now officially out of the 2026 lieutenant governor race, the remaining Republican candidates are:

• Secretary of State Wes Allen
• Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate
• Former gubernatorial candidate Dean Odle
• Nicole Wadsworth

McCarron has said he may return to politics in the future once his football career has “run its course.”