Louisville Kings head coach Chris Redman says the UFL will announce its new markets and coaches soon. He also said the Kings hold the rights to every player from the championship roster.
Redman joined The Deener Show on ESPN Louisville on September 16, live from Lynn Family Stadium, hours before the Kings held their championship celebration at the venue. The conversation covered the league's next steps, the NFL pipeline, and what he learned in his first year as a professional head coach.
On Expansion
Host Drew Deener asked whether more teams are coming. Redman said the announcement is close.
"They're going to announce that here, I think, in the next few games and our next few weeks. And then we'll have some new cities, new coaches and everything else. And then we're growing. This league's not going anywhere."
The UFL announced on July 30that Birmingham and Houston will leave the league after the 2026 season, with two replacement markets set to join in 2027. The league said it plans to reach 10 teams by 2028, including Oklahoma City, and 12 teams by 2030.
Redman also spoke about what the league's owner wants from a home market. "This is what Repole wants, and he wants the passion behind it too," Redman said of Lynn Family Stadium. "He loves the fans here, just are really into it." He called the venue "the best in the UFL."
On the NFL Pipeline
Redman put a number on the Kings' offseason.
"We had 16 guys off the team sign NFL contracts. Only 4 of them stuck on practice squad. So we consider that a success. These guys, that's what they want is an opportunity to get into the NFL, and that's what they got."
Two of those players came up by name. Kicker Tanner Brown, the UFL Special Teams Player of the Year, signed with the New Orleans Saintson June 17. The Saints waived him August 30. Redman said Brown missed one kick in the preseason. "They decided to go with someone a little more experienced, I guess, which makes no sense to me," he said.
"He's on a very short list," Redman added. "So if somebody starts having some struggles somewhere, he's on a short list to get picked up." He said the Kings would welcome him back. "In this league, 60-yarders are worth 4 points. So that is a big deal for us."
Running back Ian Wheeler, the United Bowl MVP, signed with the Buffalo Billson June 18. Redman said Wheeler led the Bills in preseason rushing. Buffalo waived him August 30.
Deener also brought up Tyler Shough and Lamar Jackson, two former Louisville quarterbacks, facing off in Baltimore this Sunday. Redman tied it to the school's pitch. "That's a recruiting tool in my mind because that's what it's all about is going to places where you can give yourself an opportunity to play in the NFL," he said. "And Louisville has surely done that in the last 10, 20 years."
On Being a Head Coach
Redman said the job was not what he expected.
"I thought it was gonna be X's and O's, but it's more problem solving, people managing. And that side of the coaching side, it was a little unexpected."
He also revealed that he did not call plays. His assistants told him to stay out of it.
"They said, look, just be the head coach," Redman explained. "And I see why. And it was a learning experience. I mean, everything was a first last year."
He put it another way later in the interview. "I had about every situation you could think of. I had it last year. And we had to go through a lot of crazy hoops, but it's worth it when you hold up a trophy for sure."
The Kings started 0-3 and won the United Bowl 27-20 over the DC Defenders on June 13 at Audi Field, per the Baltimore Ravens, who noted four of Redman's assistants were his Super Bowl XXXV teammates.
On the 2027 Roster
Deener asked how a UFL coach plans a roster while the NFL season is still going. Redman pointed to the league's player rights system.
"We have everyone's rights from that team last year. So we have a great foundation that we're starting with, and like I said, a lot of these guys will be back."
He said the offseason is spent scouting and evaluating. "I feel like I owe it to the city to keep improving and not get complacent," he said. "Championship or not, we want to make a dynasty."
What Comes Next
Redman said the crowds came faster than he planned for. "I thought it would take 2, 4 years, whatever, to really get people, and people just jumped on," he said.
The Kings held their celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. on September 16 at Lynn Family Stadium. Redman said fans could walk the stadium and pick their seats before 2027 season tickets went on sale September 17.
The 2027 UFL season opens March 26 at Lynn Family Stadium, with the Kings on FOX UFL Friday, according to the league's July 30 release. The new markets and coaches Redman mentioned have not yet been announced.