Anthony Becht has been named the inaugural head coach of the Orlando Storm, the UFL’s newest expansion franchise. The announcement marks a bittersweet transition for Becht, who leaves behind the St. Louis Battlehawks after three successful seasons at the helm.
Becht, a former NFL tight end and longtime broadcaster, guided the Battlehawks to a strong 22-8 regular-season record from 2023 to 2025, including back-to-back playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025. His tenure in St. Louis built a winning culture and developed numerous talents who advanced to the NFL, but the move to Orlando represents a fresh challenge: building a brand-new team from the ground up.
“I am filled with mixed emotions as I leave a city and a team that I love — the St. Louis Battlehawks — to take on the exciting challenge of building a new team — the Orlando Storm — in my home state,” Becht said in a statement. “I look forward to the task that faces me and adding to the great tradition of football in the Sunshine State. I want to thank the Battlehawks faithful for all of their support. You will forever be in my heart.”
The decision comes as the UFL undergoes expansion and restructuring ahead of its 2026 season. The league added three new teams—Orlando Storm, Columbus Aviators, and Louisville Kings—while relocating or rebranding others. Orlando, which previously hosted the short-lived Orlando Guardians in the 2023 XFL season, now returns to spring football with a new identity and a proven leader at the helm.
UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon praised Becht’s appointment, stating, “As we head into a new era, we needed someone who had the expertise to build a new franchise like the Orlando Storm from the ground up, and what better person to do that than Anthony Becht. UFL Co-owner Mike Repole and I have called on Anthony to take up this challenge to help ensure the long-term success of the league.”
Repole echoed the sentiment, highlighting Becht’s ties to Florida: “Anthony Becht has been a tremendous coach and ambassador for the United Football League, and I have no doubt he’ll bring that same passion and leadership to the Orlando Storm. As a Florida resident and former member of the Buccaneers, he understands what football means to this state. We’re excited about bringing both Anthony and the Storm to Orlando and building something special for this community.”
Becht’s Florida connections run deep. A resident of the state for over two decades, he played three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005-07) during his 11-year NFL career, which also included stints with the New York Jets (where he was a first-round pick in 2000), St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs. After retiring, Becht transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a college football analyst for ESPN and currently as the radio color commentator for the Jets.
His coaching resume includes a stint as tight ends coach for the San Diego Fleet in the Alliance of American Football (2019), and he took over the Battlehawks in 2023 after the XFL’s revival. Under Becht, St. Louis became one of the league’s most consistent performers, though postseason success remained elusive with conference championship losses in both playoff runs.
The Orlando Storm will play home games at Inter&Co Stadium, sharing the venue with MLS side Orlando City SC and NWSL’s Orlando Pride. The team is set to kick off its inaugural season in spring 2026, with the UFL promising high-energy, fan-focused experiences in a more intimate setting.
As Becht embarks on this new chapter, the UFL has indicated that a successor for the Battlehawks will be named soon. For now, the league’s focus is on building momentum in Orlando, where Becht’s experience and local roots could help establish a lasting presence in a market hungry for professional football.
