BECHT SWAPS BATTLEHAWKS FOR STORM

The United Football League has announced that Anthony Becht will become the first head coach of the new Orlando Storm franchise, having performed the same role with the St Louis Battlehawks over the past three seasons.

The announcement, which will no doubt come as a shock to the fervent Battlehawks fanbase, was made by UFL co-owner Mike Repole and president/CEO Russ Brandon.

“As we head into a new era, we needed someone who had the expertise to build a new franchise like the Orlando Storm from the ground up and what better person to do that than Anthony Becht,” Brandon explained. “Mike Repole and I have called on Anthony to take up this challenge to help ensure the long-term success of the league. We guarantee that his successor in St Louis will carry on the winning tradition that he established on and off the field.”

Already a Florida resident, Becht guided the Battlehawks through the team’s XFL Legacy period and into the first two years of the UFL following the merger of the XFL and USFL. During that time, he led the team to a 22-8 record with a .733 winning percentage and back-to-back playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025.

“Anthony has been a great coach and ambassador for the United Football League and I know he will bring that same passion and leadership to the Orlando Storm,” Repole commented. “A Florida resident and former member of the [Tampa Bay] Buccaneers, he knows what football means to Florida and I’m excited to see him kick off this Spring.”

A graduate of West Virginia University, where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2024, Becht was selected in the first round (27th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He went on to play 11 seasons at tight end in the NFL, spending time with the Jets, Buccaneers, St Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. From 2000 to 2010, he played in 152 consecutive games, the third longest streak in the NFL over that time period behind only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning.

Following his playing career, Becht worked as a college football analyst for ESPN and hosted the Jets pregame show before being promoted to become their radio colour analyst in 2024. He also coached tight ends in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl before accepting the same position with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football in 2018.

“Today, I am filled with mixed emotions as I leave a city and team that I love to take on the exciting challenge of building a new team,” Becht admitted. “I look forward to returning to my home state of the last 21 years, where I played three seasons with the 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.”

The league will announce Becht’s successor in St Louis in the near future.