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by Fran Stuchbury
February 15, 2023 - United States Football League (USFL)


The United States Football League completed a successful 2022 season last July with the Birmingham Stallions winning the USFL Championship in a thrilling 33-30 game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at Canton, Ohio. The league will return in 2023 with eight teams, though it made several changes during the off-season to ensure it will take another step forward during its second season. Below is an update on all the big news that occurred during the USFL's off-season.

NEW MARKET

The Tampa By Bandits relocated to Memphis, Tennessee.

The Memphis Showboats are back in the USFL for the 2023 season. "We're home," said Daryl Johnston, USFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. "The Showboats return to Memphis for the 2023 season. The USFL is appreciative of the tremendous support and commitment from the City of Memphis, Mayor Jim Strickland, and countless other community leaders for bringing professional football back to the Bluff City. ‚¬Â

MORE HUBS

The USFL's 2023 season will be played in four hub cities: Birmingham, Memphis, Detroit and Canton. The Birmingham Stallions along with the New Orleans Breakers will call Birmingham's Protective Stadium home, while the new Memphis Showboats will host the Houston Gamblers at Simmons Liberty Stadium. Heading north to Detroit's Ford Field are the Michigan Panthers and Philadelphia Stars, while the New Jersey Generals and Pittsburgh Maulers will set up shop at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, host of last year's USFL postseason.

Four hubs should translate into much better attendance overall. Last season all 40 regular season games were staged in Birmingham, often before sparse crowds when the hometown Stallions weren't on the field. Canton will again host the USFL Championship this season on July 2nd.

The USFL revealed its 2023 schedule, with four different cities hosting games during Season 2. The new season kicks off on April 15, and each of the four host cities - Detroit, Memphis, Canton, Ohio and Birmingham, Alabama - will have games within the first three weeks. Through the 10-week regular season, each of the USFL's eight teams will play division rivals twice and teams of the opposite division once.

All the games take place on weekends, giving fans a set schedule with game times already in place. Last season the USFL announced its schedule week-by-week throughout the season. Though matchups were known, FOX chose to reveal the exact time, date and television network for each game just a couple of weeks ahead of time.

LABOR PEACE

The USFL and United Steelworkers, who represent the USFL players, announced a tentative collective bargaining agreement for USFL Season 2 and beyond on December 15th 2022, and it was ratified in January.

In addition to increased wages, the new deal provides a $400 per week housing stipend. Last season USFL players had to pay a portion of their own housing while in Birmingham.

HEAD COACHING CHANGES

In November NFL veteran offensive coach John DeFilippo was hired to lead the New Orleans Breakers. He replaces Head Coach Larry Fedora who stepped away from football to spend more time with his family.

In January the USFL hired NFL veteran defensive coach Ray Horton to lead the Pittsburgh Maulers. He immediately assumed duties from Head Coach Kirby Wilson who resigned due to personal reasons.

"I'm humbled to join the USFL as the new Pittsburgh Maulers Head Coach," said Horton. "We're returning a solid core from one of the best defenses in the league, including All-USFL safety Bryce Torneden and Pittsburgh-native Tre Tarpley. As we look for the next great quarterback in the USFL, I'm also excited about our returning offensive core. We will stay focused on delivering a USFL championship to Pittsburgh Maulers fans."

The Maulers finished the inaugural season 1-9, worst in the USFL. The offense never got on track, playing under a bevy of different quarterbacks.

The USFL announced that NFL veteran coach Mike Nolan has been hired to lead the Michigan Panthers. He immediately assumes duties from former Head Coach Jeff Fisher, who stepped down for personal reasons.

"I am very excited to join the USFL and the Michigan Panthers," said Nolan. "Playing great football and competing at a high level is what the Panthers are going to be about. It will take a loud and rabid fanbase to help us get there. I've experienced the passionate fans of Michigan and Detroit while coaching against the Lions, and I was always impressed. Our goal with the Panthers is to play with energy and pride for the entire state we represent. I want our fans to be proud to root for the Panthers. ‚¬Â

The Panthers went 2-8 in the USFL in 2022.

(Edit) In a change that took place just after writing, the USFL announced that Houston Gamblers Head Coach Kevin Sumlin will become co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach for the Maryland Terrapins. He will be replaced by Curtis Johnson, formerly head coach at Tulane University.

NEW LOOK

In addition to a new head coach in place for the Maulers, the team changed its color scheme from purple and orange to black and gold to match the colors of other sports teams in Pittsburgh.

"Pittsburgh Appropriate" Coach Ray Horton reacts to the reveal of his new team colors:

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