At long last, the United Football League (UFL) has eight head coaches. Kevin Sumlin is returning to the Houston Gamblers as their Head Coach for the 2026 UFL season, the league announced today.
As anticipated with recent rumors, former Houston Gamblers coach Kevin Sumlin will re-assume leadership as Head Coach of the @UFLGamblers in 2026.
Sumlin’s Gamblers went 3-7 during the 2022 USFL season. #UFL
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) December 31, 2025
Kevin Sumlin is no stranger to spring football. He coached the Houston Gamblers during the USFL’s inaugural season – but struggled to find much of a rhythm, finishing with a 3-7 record. The team did win their last two games, though, ending on a high note.
Sumlin has quite a bit of coaching experience, with some of it being local. He was the University of Houston’s Head Coach from 2008-2011, before taking over at Texas A&M from 2012-2017. Sumlin worked with Johnny Manziel at A&M, earning SEC Coach of the Year honors in 2012.
Kevin was named the Head Coach of Arizona in 2018, after his departure from Texas. He coached there until 2020, and took a year off before returning to the scene with his first pro football opportunity in the USFL.
Kevin Sumlin and Houston can’t buy a break in the USFL. They’ve been close in nearly every game but lost at the end.
Houston Gamblers vs New Jersey Generals. #USFL
— Roger (@sir_roger1) May 22, 2022
Sumlin didn’t return to coach the Gamblers in 2023, as he received an opportunity at Maryland, to serve as an Assistant Head Coach/co-Offensive Coordinator.
Now, Kevin Sumlin returns to the spring football scene. He’s got a history in Houston, in both college and the USFL. It’s worth noting that he replaces C.J. Johnson – who originally, was Sumlin’s replacement in Houston ahead of the USFL’s 2023 season.
Full Press Release
HOUSTON, TX – December 31, 2025 – The United Football League announced today that former University of Houston and Texas A&M University Head Football Coach Kevin Sumlin has been named head football coach of the Houston Gamblers. He most recently served as the associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Maryland for two seasons (2023-24). The announcement was made by UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon.
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“Kevin Sumlin brings an excellent record of success at the head coaching level, especially in the state of Texas, where he has made his mark as a winner,” said Brandon. “It is only appropriate that someone with deep roots in Texas football history takes over Houston as it embarks on a new era as the Gamblers.”
A former linebacker for the Purdue Boilermakers, Sumlin has compiled an overall head coaching record of 98-70, following stints with the Houston Cougars (2008-11), Texas A&M Aggies (2012-17), and the Arizona WIldcats (2018-20), as well as the Houston Gamblers during their USFL Legacy era in 2022. At the University of Houston, he was named the Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2011 after leading the team to Conference USA West Division championships during those seasons. In 2012, he received SEC Coach of the Year honors after leading Texas A&M to an 11-2 record and a 41-13 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2013 Cotton Bowl.
Prior to serving as a head coach, Sumlin served as assistant coach at Washington State (1989-90), Wyoming (1991-92), Minnesota (1993-97), Purdue (1998-2000), and Texas A&M (2001-02). From 2003-07, he was an assistant coach on Head Coach Bob Stoops staff at Oklahoma.
“Texas is my football home, so I look forward to returning to the state as Houston’s new head coach,” said Sumlin. “I will build a winning team and deliver an exciting brand of football, which the Gamblers name instantly evokes.”
“We are so excited to welcome Kevin Sumlin as the head coach of the Houston Gamblers,” said David Dykeman, Senior Vice President of Football Operations & Chief of Staff. “Kevin’s proven record of success at both the University of Houston and Texas A&M make him the perfect fit for the city of Houston. We know the Gamblers are in great hands with Coach Sumlin.”
About the United Football League
The United Football League (UFL) is the premier professional spring football league, powered by the visionary leadership and investment of Mike Repole and Impact Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, FOX, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and ESPN. Built on innovation, accessibility, and competitive excellence, the UFL delivers the most engaging professional football experience in the world—for both players and fans. The league features eight teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Gamblers, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm, and St. Louis Battlehawks. The 2026 season kicks off Friday, March 27.
What are your thoughts on Kevin Sumlin returning to the Houston Gamblers? Is this the right move by the UFL? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
