In a significant shift for the upcoming 2026 UFL season, veteran coach Anthony Becht has embraced a fresh challenge, moving from the St. Louis Battlehawks to take the helm of the newly formed Orlando Storm. This transition, fueled by personal ties to Florida and a league-wide roster overhaul, sees Becht eager to construct a formidable team from the ground up. He is confident in the talent he has assembled, particularly in the quarterback position, as he prepares the Storm for their inaugural season.
Anthony Becht Pioneers Orlando Storm's Inaugural Season Amidst UFL Shake-Up
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the St. Louis Battlehawks will kick off their 2026 UFL season at The Dome at America's Center, hosting the DC Defenders. However, a familiar face will be notably absent from the Battlehawks' sidelines: Anthony Becht, who previously led the team. Ricky Proehl, a 17-year NFL veteran and the Battlehawks' wide receivers coach in 2023, will step into the head coach role. Becht, meanwhile, has exchanged his former team's colors for the purple and orange of the Orlando Storm, one of the UFL's three relocated franchises.
Becht's journey to Orlando began with a playful remark from Mike Repole, a UFL investor instrumental in the league's strategic direction. During a press conference announcing the Storm as a new franchise, Repole jestingly suggested he might 'fire Anthony and make him the head coach.' What started as a joke soon evolved into a serious discussion, culminating in Becht's appointment as the Storm's first-ever coach on December 23, 2025.
Two primary factors influenced Becht's decision. First, his deep roots in Florida, where he has resided for 21 years, placed the Storm's home stadium merely an hour from his residence. Second, the UFL's comprehensive roster reshuffling ahead of the 2026 season meant that regardless of where he coached, Becht would face the task of building a team anew. This process included a specialized quarterback draft, a regional college allocation designed to foster local connections, and a final snake draft. Recognizing that his previous roster would be completely disbanded, Becht viewed the Orlando opportunity as an exciting challenge rather than a drawback.
Becht expressed profound confidence in the talent he has assembled, particularly in his quarterback room, which he considers one of the league's strongest, featuring both Jack Plummer and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He is enthusiastic about setting a high standard and establishing a winning culture for the new Orlando franchise. The Orlando Storm is set to play its inaugural game on March 29 against the Columbus Aviators, marking the beginning of a new era under Becht's leadership.
Anthony Becht's transition to the Orlando Storm highlights the dynamic nature of professional sports, where coaches often seek new environments to ignite their passion and test their strategic acumen. His move underscores the UFL's commitment to revitalizing its structure and fostering local connections through its relocated franchises and comprehensive player drafts. Becht's eagerness to build a team from scratch and his confidence in his new roster serve as a compelling narrative for the upcoming season, inspiring both fans and aspiring coaches alike to embrace change and new challenges with optimism.
