Dallas Renegades head coach Rick Neuheisel didn't hide from the reality of his team's struggles over the past month and a half. But as the Renegades prepare for their season finale against the playoff-bound St. Louis Battlehawks, the veteran coach's message remained focused on character, effort, and the opportunity still ahead.
"It's been a privilege to coach these guys. They're wonderful young men," Neuheisel said during his final press conference of the regular season. "They're great try-hard fellas, and hopefully we got one more in us."
Redemption Against a Playoff Team
The Renegades enter their final game having beaten St. Louis earlier this season, giving them a blueprint for success against a Battlehawks team that's already locked up a playoff spot. Neuheisel acknowledged the challenge ahead, knowing St. Louis will likely treat this as a tune-up for the postseason.
"They're a playoff team. They probably are going to want to use this game as a springboard momentum into the postseason. It would be a wonderful way for us to finish given the last 6 weeks to get a victory and be able to sing a fight song and all that kind of stuff before these guys go off to their summers and hopefully NFL opportunities."
That reference to "the last 6 weeks" painted a clear picture of Dallas's recent struggles. The Renegades have endured a difficult stretch that effectively ended their playoff hopes, but Neuheisel's focus remained on his players' development and future prospects.
Playing for More Than Just Wins
The coach emphasized that every snap matters for players trying to advance their careers, particularly in a developmental league like the UFL where NFL scouts are constantly evaluating talent.
"We're going to play as hard as we can. That's all we know how to do," Neuheisel said. "Hopefully a little cleaner than we have the last 6 weeks so we can finish on the right side of the lot."
Quarterback Austin Reed echoed that sentiment, understanding the value of every opportunity to showcase his abilities on film.
"Every time you step out on the field, you're putting stuff on your resume, and so it's another opportunity to better your resume and to look good for people who are watching, but more importantly, like, enjoy the moment for yourself and relish any opportunity you get."
Character Over Record
Despite the team's disappointing finish to the season, Neuheisel's praise for his players' character and work ethic suggested a coach who values effort over results. The "try-hard fellas" comment spoke to a group that never quit despite facing adversity.
Reed's perspective on appreciating the moment also reflected the maturity of a team that understands not every player gets unlimited chances to compete at this level. "I have a bunch of my buddies who I bet would love to go play one more football game," he noted.
For Dallas, Sunday's finale against St. Louis represents both closure on a frustrating campaign and one final chance to send their players into the offseason with momentum toward potential NFL opportunities.