Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz joined 3 Man Front on Jox 94.5 to discuss the departure of general manager Zack Potter to Sacramento State, the UFL’s 2025 schedule release, and roster updates.
During the interview Holtz provided insights into Potter’s impact on the team’s success, the growing legitimacy of the UFL as a developmental league, and key players returning for the upcoming 2025 UFL season.
GM Zack Potter’s Departure
Holtz reflects on his daily collaboration with GM Zack Potter and his growth from USFL intern to successful executive.
“We work side by side. We work together. I mean, I’ve talked to the guy for the last three years, probably an hour a day, minimum. We’ve spent a lot of time together, and I do have great respect for him. I care about him deeply, and I am happy for him. On the one side, when you listen to him talk about the opportunities and growing, getting out of just the professional game, but having some knowledge of the college game as well and getting into all the NCA rules and the calendars and the timelines and the recruiting calendars and NIL and how the transfer portal works and roster management.”
Potter’s move to Sacramento State represents both a loss for the Stallions organization and a significant career advancement opportunity. His transition from USFL intern to respected general manager demonstrates the developmental nature of the league at all levels. Potter will be a GM in the NFL one day.
UFL’S Growing Reputation
Holtz talks about how the league has evolved from its USFL origins to become a legitimate developmental pathway to the NFL.
“And now all of a sudden, I’ve got people that have NFL experience. My phone’s blowing up. You’ve got people that have been past GMs on a professional level. You’ve got guys that are in the NFL now that want to have the opportunity to be the head guy and call the shots. The pool that you’re trying to select from now is definitely much more experienced than what we brought in when I hired Zack Potter out of the intern room.”
This evolution shows the UFL’s increasing credibility within professional football circles and its emergence as a serious developmental league for both players and executives. After the 2025 season that will continue to grow. The UFL is here to stay despite what has been said online.
UFL schedule Challenges
Holtz addresses the unique aspects of the 2025 schedule, including Friday night games and a compressed opening week.
“The only challenging thing I look at when I look at the schedule, we open on the road at DC, which you’d love to open at home, really to see what team you have when you get into your opening game. You’d love to have that opportunity to open at home, but we’re going to be on the road at DC. But then we have a really short week because we play the opening game on Sunday, and then we play again on Friday.”
The compressed schedule presents early season challenges for the coaching staff and players, particularly with road games and short preparation windows. UFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, who was also a guest on Jox 94.5, talked about the difficulty of the UFL schedule.
Returning Players
Holtz provides updates on key players returning for the 2025 season.
“We have a great nucleus of guys that are coming back. I know I look in the running back room and everybody’s back. C.J. Marible continues to be a staple for us in that backfield. Ricky Persons is back, Roundtree is back. So there’s going to be a lot of familiarity with guys that are stepping into the offense, and it’s not like year one.”
The return of experienced players provides continuity for the three-time champions as they prepare to defend their title in the inaugural UFL season. The question is who will lead them at Quarterback. Is it Matt Corrals job to lose? Former Stallions QB’s like Adrian Martinez, who Won the 2024 UFL Most Valuable Player Award left for the Jets. Alex McGough is with the Packers. Will it be a new name in the mix. Loosing Potter is big for this team.
The interview provides insights into the UFL’s evolution from its USFL roots, highlighting both organizational challenges and opportunities. Potter’s departure represents the league’s role in developing both playing and executive talent. The discussion of returning players and schedule challenges offers fans a preview of the 2025 season.
Fans can listen to the full interview on the Jox 94.5 radio archive or through the station’s digital platforms. The 3 Man Front program airs weekdays and features regular updates on the Birmingham Stallions and UFL.
