Less than one week before the start of the UFL 2025 regular season, D.C. Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow is vacating his position to accept the head coaching job at Tennessee State.
John Brice, from footballscoop.com, initially reported this past Thursday that Barlow had emerged as the top target to replace Eddie George at Tennessee State. The opening was created when George left TSU for Bowling Green.
League and team sources have confirmed Barlow's departure. Defenders quarterbacks coach Shannon Harris will take over as interim head coach of D.C.
Ironically, Harris, a former Tennessee State assistant, was also a rumored candidate for the TSU head coaching position. Harris's elevation means that the Defenders will maintain continuity with their coordinators, Fred Kaiss, on offense and former NFL head coach Gregg Williams on defense.
Barlow, The former XFL head coach of the year in 2023, has received several offers since leaving the college ranks; the Tennessee State job was too enticing for him to pass up despite his success in spring pro football.
The possibility of UFL coaches departing before the season starts has always been strong, especially now that all UFL coaches are paid seasonally, from the beginning of training camp until the season's conclusion in June. The merged UFL's ownership implemented this new practice in January 2024.
As a result, several UFL coaches have applied for have actively sought opportunities from NFL teams and college football programs in the last year.
After winning over a hundred games on the collegiate level, Reggie Barlow was drawn to the XFL by the opportunity to lead a professional football team. He is back to his roots after being a head coach for 14 years on the FCS level at his alma mater, Alabama State, and Virginia State. Still, he is leaving behind his now former pro team, which kicks off its season next Sunday at Audi Field against the defending three-time champion Birmingham Stallions.