Houston Gamblers head coach Kevin Sumlin didn't sugarcoat his team's disappointing season during his final press conference before Saturday's season finale against Birmingham. The veteran coach put the blame squarely on quarterback instability that saw the team start six or seven different signal-callers throughout the campaign.
"The continuity piece is different," Sumlin said when asked to assess the season. "I know other people have started other quarterbacks, but we've had injuries. And even with Nolan and hamstring, finger, shoulders, two guys are not even on the roster anymore that we signed at quarterback. That was tough on this whole football team."
Anthony Hines Departure a "Mutual" Decision
The quarterback chaos became even more apparent when Sumlin addressed the recent release of Anthony Hines, who was quickly picked up by the DC Defenders. The move highlighted just how fractured the quarterback room had become in Houston.
"It was a mutual move. Anthony was frustrated a little bit with his situation here. It was just the best thing for both parties just to move on."
The departure of Hines, who had been competing for the starting job, left Houston scrambling even more at the position. The team's quarterback instability became a season-long storyline that ultimately kept them out of playoff contention.
Marcus Yarns Provides Lone Bright Spot
While the quarterback position crumbled, Houston found a diamond in the rough with running back Marcus Yarns, who leads the league in yards per carry. Sumlin couldn't hide his enthusiasm when discussing the explosive back's potential.
"Marcus is an explosive back, right? And depending on what camp he gets into, he's got a real chance to make it," Sumlin said. "If you just go by his numbers and yards per carry and his explosiveness, he's a talent. I think he's going to have some options after this weekend."
The coach emphasized that Yarns and the entire running back room exceeded expectations despite the chaos at quarterback. It's a rare bright spot in what has been a forgettable season for the Gamblers.
Birmingham Presents Final Challenge
Saturday's season finale against Birmingham brings its own complications, as the Stallions have found new life under quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Sumlin acknowledged the challenge of facing a completely different team than the one Houston played earlier this season.
"DTR has brought a new energy, obviously, to their offense. He's a threat with his legs and he can throw it," Sumlin noted. "They're playing with a whole nother different set of energy, and they got a lot to play for. If they get to 5-5, who knows what'll happen."
Offseason Overhaul Coming
Sumlin made it clear that significant changes are coming during the offseason. The coach took responsibility for the team's failures while promising a comprehensive evaluation of everything from scheme to roster management.
"We're disappointed we're not in the playoffs. We'll go back and look at everything. A lot of close games, a lot of close losses, but a loss is a loss. What's the difference in how we can get over that hump? It's about scheme, it's about coaching, it's about roster management."
The admission of six or seven different starting quarterbacks tells the story of Houston's season better than any stat sheet could. For a team that needed continuity to compete in the UFL's tight races, the quarterback carousel proved to be their undoing. Now Sumlin and his staff face the challenge of building stability at the most important position on the field.