UFL fans are a week removed from the end of the 2026 season, and there is still plenty of excitement about what happened during the United Bowl, as the Louisville Kings managed to win the title in their first year over the DC Defenders 27-20.
It felt like an impossible mission after the team started 0-3 under first-year head coach Chris Redman. To Redman's credit, he made swift changes throughout the first month of the year that set the foundation for the championship team that hoisted the United Bowl trophy.
After some time to process their 6-4 season and title win, Redman spoke with the media for the last time late last week before taking a break from the craziness of the UFL season.
Chris Redman on Kings players to NFL
The Kings are off to a good start, as four players on the team have signed with NFL teams: wide receivers Lucky Jackson and Tarik Black (Detroit Lions), kicker Tanner Brown (New Orleans Saints), and running back Ian Wheeler. UFL News Hub asked Redman about how many players does he expect to be on NFL teams in the next month.
"Yeah, well, we got four right now, and so that's an amazing feat, but there's probably another four that's gonna get a good look, I would think at least, and so at least try to get an opportunity to get in a camp and not everybody will make it, not everybody will, but I do think we'll have some guys that'll make rosters and make practice squad or roster spots that are gonna help contribute to an NFL team, so I'm excited for 'em, and it's just so cool. I'm excited for the city of Louisville, too, to kind of get behind these guys and be able to follow their career afterwards and watch them this year trying to make an NFL team. And so it's a whole community and they got a lot more fans here this year for sure."
Could the Kings lose as many coaches as players this offseason?
While there were changes to the coaching staff after the first week of the season, Redman kept the group together and led it to one of the best seasons in the UFL. Offensive coordinator Steve Logan ended up having the most balanced offensive attack in the league, while defensive coordinator Jamie Sharper was nominated for UFL Assistant Coach of the Year. While nothing is official, Redman wouldn't be surprised if he lost a few from his coaching staff.
"Yeah, we haven't really made a decision on coaching yet as far as for next year. And there'll be some guys that obviously, you know, it's— there's just a lot of turnover when it comes to, you know, coaching and players, you know. So guys will get opportunities to go other places. And we almost lost a couple coaches this year to some NFL teams. But yeah, we haven't really discussed it. We're going to give kind of a month off, and just kind of make everybody relax, and then start looking forward to the future when it comes to all the coaches and what they're going to do next year. So we'll probably have that conversation in about another month or so."
Latest on the Kings' celebration of the United Bowl title in Louisville
A lot of Kings fans are eager to have their city celebrate the United Bowl in Louisville. There have been hints from the Louisville mayor and others on social media that something will happen, Redman give an update on how the preparations are going for it.
"Yeah, logistics is obviously the biggest factor. And, I'm sure Repole, if he wants to do something, he's going to do it right because that's how he just does everything. So we could have thrown something together. I think there wouldn't have been as extravagant as he wants to do. So hopefully we'll put something really good together."
Biggest lesson Chris Redman learned from the 2026 season
Arguably, Redman had the most impressive coaching job in the UFL as he went from inexperienced first-year head coach to UFL champion in one year. UFL News Hub closed out Redman's media availability by asking him about what was the biggest lesson he learned in 2026.
"I just learned so much about scheduling to offseason, but honestly kind of trusting your gut. Like when you feel like something needs to be done, you know? And like, you know, that— being the first year, you're not really 100% sure if, hey, is that the right? But it is, you know, like when something needs to be done, don't worry about what other people think. Just trust in, you know, experience me playing and now coaching this first year, that that's what needs to be done. And I'm just going to try and kind of trust in myself more than listening to everybody else."