Former Alabama QB AJ McCarron named head coach of the Birmingham Stallions

AJ McCarron has been named the new head coach of the Birmingham Stallions./Courtesy: Birmingham Stallions

A day after stepping down as a candidate for lieutenant governor in Alabama, AJ McCarron now has a new role.

The Birmingham Stallions named McCarron Thursday as its new head coach.

McCarron takes over for Skip Holtz, who led the Stallions for four seasons between 2022  and 2025, winning three USFL/UFL championships.

“I am excited about this new opportunity with the UFL,” said McCarron. “This game has given me so much as a player, and now I am ready to give back as a coach. It’s even more special that I get to do that while representing my home state – a state that has supported me throughout my career. Our team will build upon the amazing legacy of Skip Holtz. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Holtz, what he has done for the league and for the Stallions. I am ready to put in the work that will continue producing championship wins for the city of Birmingham.”

In October, McCarron announced he was entering the Republican race for lieutenant governor in the 2026 election, but withdrew from the race Wednesday citing that he was taking a football position that would be announced later.

A Mobile native, McCarron played at the University of Alabama from 2009 until 2013. During his time there, he was part of three college championship wins.

Upon graduation, McCarron went to the NFL, where he played for the Bengals, Raiders, Texans and Falcons.