St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht sat down with Arizona Sports 98.7 to talk football – from watching his son play quarterback to his thoughts on the West Virginia coaching job. The wide-ranging conversation gave fans a peek behind the curtain at the UFL’s early success and what might be next for one of its standout coaches.
Would He Leave the UFL for West Virginia?
After Neil Brown’s exit from West Virginia, Becht tackled the question head-on:
“Well, listen, one, I think Neil did as good as he could with the opportunity that he was given. I think it goes far beyond Neil. I think it’s been now a while since that program has gotten back on their feet. We’ll see. I mean, listen, I’m interested in talking about any job. Obviously, I love my job now. The NFL is an awesome opportunity that was given to me. They went outside the norm, and they decided to sit down with me with really the credentials that didn’t traditionally line up with other coaches in that respected field. And they listened to a vision, and they listened to a plan.”
While not ruling out a move to college football, Becht made it clear he’s focused on building something special in St. Louis.
From Player to Parent: The Nervous Dad in the Stands
The former NFL player opened up about what it’s like watching his son Rocco play quarterback:
“As a player, I literally had no issues. I never felt anxiety. As a coach, I’m very comfortable. I love being around the players. I love making those critical decisions. I’m telling you now, sitting in the stands, watching your son, I got my wife hanging on my arm for every snap that he takes. And then my chest. Then they find me in the stands. I try to move my seat and high, but they find my big ass every single week.”
Gone is the cool confidence of his playing days – replaced by the nervous energy every parent knows all too well.
Building the Battlehawks
Becht’s pride in what they’ve built in St. Louis shines through:
“I’ve won 70% of my games in two years. We’ve put 24 guys in two seasons in NFL training camp, so we’re developing players, and we fill the stands and the seats in St. Louis. We constructed a team from zero players to the team we have now.”
Those numbers tell the story of a team that’s not just winning games, but fulfilling the UFL’s mission of developing talent and connecting with fans. The question of AJ McCarron’s departure was not brought up in the interview. Who he brings in next season to QB, could really make or brake his success in St Louis. McCarron was a fan favorite.
Modern Football: Show Me the Money
On the hot topic of player compensation:
“I’m all for players getting paid. I think players, if they go out there and earn it, earn the right to get paid, they should get paid. I don’t know if I’m on the train of paying high school kids… I think if you’re more strategic on it and you make the kids earn it… that’s how you keep your culture in place.”
Becht walks the line between embracing change and preserving what makes football special.
What We Learned
The conversation painted a picture of a coach who’s found success in the UFL while staying open to what’s next. Whether it’s developing players, filling seats in St. Louis, or maybe even taking on a college program down the road, Becht brings a fresh perspective to the game’s evolution.
Want to catch the full interview? You can find it on the Arizona Sports 98.7 FM app or website, where it aired as part of their Big 12 Championship pregame coverage.
