The United Football League (UFL) has made a significant move to keep its St. Louis franchise rooted in local history and passion. On Monday, the league announced that Ricky Proehl, a beloved figure from the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” era, has been named the new head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks. Proehl will take over the team ahead of the 2026 season, replacing Anthony Becht, who recently departed to become head coach of the newly reconfigured Orlando Storm.
The announcement comes just days after Becht’s move was confirmed, highlighting the UFL’s ongoing efforts to align coaches with markets that hold personal or historical significance for them. Proehl, a two-time Super Bowl champion as a player, returns to the Battlehawks where he previously served as wide receivers coach in 2023.
Ricky Proehl is no stranger to St. Louis football fans. Drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in 1990, he spent 17 seasons in the NFL, amassing 669 receptions for 8,878 yards and 54 touchdowns. His most memorable moments came during his time with the St. Louis Rams from 1998 to 2002, where he was a key contributor to one of the most explosive offenses in league history.
Proehl’s defining play came in the 1999 NFC Championship Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Rams trailing late, he hauled in a crucial fourth-down conversion from Kurt Warner that set up the game-winning touchdown drive, propelling St. Louis to Super Bowl XXXIV and a dramatic victory over the Tennessee Titans. He later won another ring with the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI.
After retiring, Proehl transitioned to coaching, serving as wide receivers coach for the Carolina Panthers from 2013 to 2016. He joined the Battlehawks’ staff in September 2022 as wide receivers coach under then-head coach Anthony Becht. Notably, one of his pupils was his son, Austin Proehl, a wide receiver who had previously made history in the XFL.
Proehl steps into a Battlehawks team that has been one of the UFL’s most consistent and popular franchises. Under Becht, St. Louis posted a 22-8 regular-season record over three seasons (2023–2025), with strong home attendance at The Dome at America’s Center and multiple playoff appearances. The team has consistently ranked among the league leaders in scoring and fan support.
UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon praised the hire, calling Proehl “the perfect fit” due to his on-field achievements, coaching experience, and deep ties to the city.
In a statement, Proehl expressed his excitement about returning:
“I’m thrilled to return to St. Louis—not only because of the success on the field, but because of the people who made it feel like home. I valued the opportunity to work alongside Anthony Becht, wish him the very best, and am truly honored to return now as the Battlehawks head coach.”
The Battlehawks enter the 2026 season as one of the UFL’s flagship teams, with a passionate fanbase and a roster that has produced numerous NFL call-ups. Proehl’s background as a former receiver and receivers coach could bring a fresh emphasis on explosive passing plays, building on the offensive success the team has enjoyed.
The UFL’s 2026 campaign is scheduled to kick off in late March, and St. Louis fans will be eager to see how Proehl’s leadership translates to the sideline. With his history in the city and familiarity with the organization, expectations are high for continued competitiveness—and perhaps a deeper playoff run.
For a franchise that has embodied the spirit of St. Louis football since its return, naming Ricky Proehl head coach feels like a perfect full-circle moment. Ka-Kaw!
