Gamblers Name Kevin Sumlin As Head Coach

 Kevin Sumlin Returns to H-Town: Leading the New-Look Houston Gamblers

HOUSTON, TX (December 31, 2025) – In a move that bridges the city's storied football past with its professional future, the United Football League (UFL) has officially announced the hiring of Kevin Sumlin as the head coach of the Houston Gamblers.

The hiring marks a homecoming for the 61-year-old Sumlin, whose most celebrated coaching chapters were written in the state of Texas. Sumlin’s arrival coincides with a significant rebranding for the league’s Houston franchise, which is transitioning from the "Roughnecks" moniker back to the "Gamblers"—a name synonymous with the high-flying "Run 'n' Shoot" era of the 1980s.

A Proven Track Record in Texas

Sumlin’s deep roots in the region were a primary driver for the UFL’s decision. He remains one of the most successful coaches in recent Houston history, having led the University of Houston to a dominant 35-17 record between 2008 and 2011. He later moved to College Station, where he guided the Texas A&M Aggies during their transition to the SEC, famously overseeing Johnny Manziel’s Heisman-winning season in 2012.  

Kevin Sumlin's Coaching Milestone Career Stats:

| Program/Team | Role | Record | Key Achievement |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Houston Cougars | Head Coach | 35–17 | 12-1 season in 2011 |

| Texas A&M Aggies | Head Coach | 51–26 | 2012 SEC Coach of the Year |

| Houston Gamblers (USFL) | HC / GM | 3–7 | Inaugural season leadership (2022) |

| Maryland Terrapins | Assoc. HC / Co-OC | N/A | Developed top-tier Big Ten talent

Redefining the Gamblers

This is technically Sumlin's second stint with the "Gamblers" brand. He led the USFL's iteration of the team in 2022 during that league's inaugural season. However, that version of the team never actually played a game in Houston, as the entire league operated out of a centralized "pod" in Birmingham, Alabama.  

The 2026 UFL season will be different. The Gamblers will play their home games at Shell Energy Stadium (home of the Houston Dynamo), finally giving the city a chance to see Sumlin’s wide-open offensive philosophy in person at the professional level.

"Kevin Sumlin brings an excellent record of success at the head coaching level, especially in the state of Texas," said Russ Brandon, UFL President and CEO. "It is only appropriate that someone with deep roots in Texas football history takes over Houston as it embarks on a new era."

The New UFL Landscape

Sumlin joins a revamped coaching fraternity in the UFL that features several "local heroes" and household names. The league is leaning heavily into regional nostalgia to drive attendance:

• Rick Neuheisel (Dallas Renegades)

• AJ McCarron (Birmingham Stallions)

• Ricky Proehl (St. Louis Battlehawks)

With training camps set to begin in early 2026, Sumlin's first task will be building a roster that mirrors the explosive offenses he became known for at UH and A&M. For Houston fans, the hope is that the "Gambler" name once again represents a winning bet.