The United Football League (UFL) announced on Tuesday that former St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht will be the new head coach of the Orlando Storm.
“Anthony Becht has been a tremendous coach and ambassador for the United Football League, and I have no doubt he’ll bring that same passion and leadership to the Orlando Storm,” said UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole. “As a Florida resident and former Buccaneer, he understands what football means to this state. We’re excited about bringing both Anthony and the Storm to Orlando and building something special for this community.”
Anthony Becht is 48 years old and is from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. He has been the head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks since 2023. He is 22-8 in St. Louis, leading the team to two playoff appearances.
In 2025, the Battlehawks finished 8-2, but lost to the D.C. Defenders in the XFL Conference Championship game. St. Louis averaged 23.1 points per game, 289.8 yards per game, 145.6 passing yards per game, 144.2 rushing yards per game, 23 touchdowns, and allowed 22 sacks.
“Today, I am filled with mixed emotions as I leave a city and team that I love—the St. Louis Battlehawks—to take on the exciting challenge of building a new team—the Orlando Storm,” said Becht. “I look forward to returning to my home state of the last 21 years, where I played three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and welcome the task ahead in adding to the great tradition of football in the Sunshine State. I also want to thank Battlehawks Nation for all of their support. You will forever be in my heart.”
In college, Becht spent four seasons at West Virginia (1996-99) with 77 catches for 1,091 yards and 11 touchdowns in 38 games for the Mountaineers. He was named a two-time Second Team All-Big East.
In addition, Becht received the John Russell Award and was named the Mountaineer’s Most Valuable Player in 1999. He was inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.
The New York Jets drafted Becht in the first round (27th pick) of the 2000 NFL Draft. Becht was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2000. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and the Kansas City Chiefs. In 11 seasons, Becht made 188 catches for 1,537 yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight tackles (6 solos, 2 assists) in 167 games.
After his playing career ended in 2011, he became a college football analyst for ESPN and hosted the New York Jets pregame show before being promoted to their radio color analyst in 2024. Becht would also coach Tight Ends in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl before taking the same position with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football in 2018. After the AAF folded, he was named the St. Louis Battlehawks head coach on April 22, 2022.
