Skip Holtz, the winningest coach in spring football history is trying for a historic fourth Championship with the UFL Birmingham Stallions. After winning back-to-back league championships with the USFL Stallions, Holtz claimed his third title in the UFL’s inaugural season.
Will The Birmingham Stallions Win the UFL Championship?
The UFL Stallions return as a favorite this year but first Holtz has to resolve the question of who will be his lead quarterback. Known as a “quarterback whisperer,” Holt coaxed MVP performances out of his last two quarterbacks, Alex McGough and Adrian Martinez. Voted Coach of the Year in 2023, Holtz enters the 2025 season with a win-loss record of 32-4.
Stallions Successful History With McGough
McGough led the Stallions to USFL Championship titles in 2022 and 2023. In his first year with the team, after McGough suffered an early season injury, J’Mar Smith was the starting quarterback for most of the season. However, in the postseason Smith was injured and McGough took over. Despite his winning the Championship game, McGough entered the 2023 season in a backup role.
But that soon changed when Smith suffered a season-ending injury in the very first game. McGough had an amazing season and led the team to a second Championship title. The league MVP in 2023 with the USFL’s highest passer rating, McGough recorded 2,105 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions during the regular season. In addition, he gained another 403 rushing yards with five touchdowns.
Stallion’s Martinez Leads Team to Championship
The ALL-UFL Team quarterback, Martinez was the League MVP and UFL Championship Game MVP. One of the top quarterbacks in the UFL last season, he was credited with 1,749 passing yards and 15 touchdowns against three interceptions. But Martinez also led the league in rushing with 528 yards rushing on 54 carries with three touchdowns. One of the standout stars in the UFL’s first season, his ability to scramble and quickly readjust made him hard to defend. Midway through the season in a game against the Memphis Showboats, Martinez came through with a four-touchdown performance including a pass that receiver Kevin Austin turned into an 80-yard score. The win helped the 5-0 Stallions clinch an early playoff berth. Now signed to a reserve/future contract with the New York Jets, Martinez is ineligible to play spring football.
Can the UFL Stallions Repeat?
When Matt Corrall announced his return to the Stallions in November of 2024, it was assumed he would be the team’s starting quarterback. Last season, Corrall won the assignment in training camp beating Martinez and Smith. Corrall started the first two games, but by the end of the season, Martinez was the number one. During the regular season, Corrall posted 494 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. However, in the conference playoff game against the Michigan Panthers, Corrall took over from Martinez in the second half. He threw for 120 yards with two touchdowns, securing the win for the Stallions. When Corrall declared his intention to return for the 2025 season, Holtz was very complimentary. Posting on X, Holtz stated, “Matt has an incredibly quick release, very accurate with the football, I think he can throw about any throw on the field.”
However, the quarterback situation shifted dramatically on January 25, 2025, when McGough announced his return to spring football. While new to the UFL Stallions, he will once again be paired with Holtz. The two produced magic together in 2023. Can they do it again this year? One thing is certain, with the quarterback whisperer at the helm, McGough and Corrall will have everything they need in the way of support to be successful this season.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron – Imagn Images
