Anthony Becht Leads Storm, Not Battlehawks, in 2026 UFL Season
Anthony Becht will head a new franchise for the 2026 UFL season. He leaves the St. Louis Battlehawks to take the Orlando Storm job.
Coaching shuffle in St. Louis and Orlando
Ricky Proehl will replace Becht as the Battlehawks’ head coach. Proehl spent 17 years as an NFL player and coached wide receivers in St. Louis in 2023.
Becht, meanwhile, becomes the inaugural coach of the Orlando Storm. Filmogaz.com spoke with Becht about the move in a recent interview.
Timing and first games
The Battlehawks open their 2026 UFL season on March 28. They will host the DC Defenders at The Dome at America’s Center.
The Storm will play their first game a day later, on March 29. Their opponent will be the Columbus Aviators.
Why Becht chose Orlando
Becht cited strong personal ties to Florida. He has lived in the state for 21 years.
The stadium for the Storm is about an hour from his home. That proximity helped shape his decision.
How the move began
Investor Mike Repole, who joined the UFL before the 2026 season, played a role in the hire. Repole helped guide the league’s strategic vision.
Becht said the idea started jokingly at a press conference. Conversations became serious after that initial moment.
Roster rebuild and draft changes
The UFL overhauled rosters ahead of 2026. The league used a multi-stage draft to remake every team.
- There was a specific quarterback draft.
- Teams could pick up to three players from local colleges in a regional allocation.
- A final snake draft completed roster moves.
Becht noted rosters were effectively blown up. He expected a full rebuild whether he stayed in St. Louis or moved to Orlando.
Becht’s assessment of the Storm roster
Becht believes he inherited one of the league’s deeper quarterback rooms. He named Jack Plummer and Dorian Thompson-Robinson as his top options.
He called the roster possibly the best he’s had on paper. Becht said he is eager to build a winning culture from scratch.
Looking ahead
Becht enters his fourth UFL season with new responsibilities. He will lead a relocated, purple-and-orange franchise.
The coaching change marks a fresh chapter for both clubs. Fans will get their first look at both teams in late March.
