The Birmingham Stallions named former St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron the new head coach on Thursday.
“A.J. McCarron is a part of the fabric of winning football that is woven throughout the state of Alabama,” said UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon. “It is only appropriate that a winner like AJ takes over the reins of the three-time champion Birmingham Stallions as they embark upon a new era.”
A.J. McCarron is six foot three and weighs 220 pounds. The 35-year-old from Mobile, Alabama, was released by the St. Louis Battlehawks on November 15, 2024. He retired shortly after and ran for the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.
“I am excited about this new opportunity with the UFL,” said McCarron. “This game has given me so much as a player, and now I am ready to give back as a coach. 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. Our team will build upon the amazing legacy of Skip Holtz. 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.”
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted McCarron in the fifth round (164th pick) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played three seasons in Cincinnati, completing 86 of 133 passes (64.7%) for 920 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions, and 14 carries for 31 yards in 11 games.
Next, McCarron signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2018 but was later traded to the Oakland Raiders. He played one season in Oakland, completing 1 of 3 passes (33.3%) for eight yards, and three carries for -2 yards in two games.
Then, McCarron signed with the Houston Texans in 2020. He played two seasons, completing 22 of 38 passes (57.9%) for 245 yards, one interception, five carries for 39 yards, and one touchdown in four games. McCarron would sign with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 but missed the season with a knee injury.
The St. Louis Battlehawks drafted McCarron in the Tier 1 quarterback allocations of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, McCarron completed 203 of 295 passes (68.8%) for 2,150 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions, 29 carries for 100 yards, and one touchdown in nine games for the Battlehawks. He was named the XFL MVP after the season. He led the league in passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer ratings.
After the season, McCarron signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 4 of 5 passes (80%) for 19 yards in two games. McCarron asked and was granted his release by the Bengals to return to St. Louis.
The Battlehawks re-signed McCarron on February 16, 2024. In 2024, McCarron completed 164 of 255 passes (64.3%) for 1,582 yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions, 23 carries for 87 yards, and one touchdown in nine games. In the XFL Conference Championship game against the San Antonio Brahmas, McCarron completed 19 of 29 passes (66%) for 179 yards, one touchdown, and two carries for five yards.
Collegiately, McCarron played four seasons at Alabama (2010-13), completing 686 of 1,026 passes (66.9%) for 9,019 yards, 77 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 119 carries for -50 yards, and three touchdowns in 53 games for the Crimson Tide.
McCarron was a three-time BCS National Champion, two-time Second Team All-SEC, First Team All-American, Third Team All-American, and the winner of the Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the Kellen Moore Award in 2013.
