Establishing a winning atmosphere for a pro football franchise is paramount to obtaining championships and competing at the highest level. Sometimes, coaches can establish it during their first preseason. For others, it can take a season or two to get their rosters to buy in.
One XFL head coach that will no longer have the opportunity to set a winning tone is Rod Woodson of the Las Vegas Vipers. After compiling a win-loss record of 2-8 and finishing in the cellar of the XFL’s North Division, Woodsoon was handed his walking papers on June 11th.
Following Woodson’s Hall of Fame NFL career as a defensive back, he dabbled in coaching between 2012 and 2017. He coached cornerbacks during brief stints with the Oakland Raiders and Steelers, two teams that he was a member of during his playing career.
Even though Woodson had not coached a snap of football in six years, XFL officials decided to give him a very short leash and handed him the keys to the Vipers’ future.
The XFL team that finished the worst in 2023 was the Orlando Guardians, who only managed to win one game. Orlando head coach Terrell Buckley has retained his coaching gig for now, but there is still plenty of time between now and February, the start of the next XFL Season.
Coach Buckley, also a former NFL cornerback, had a less decorated pro football career than Woodson and holds a similar level of coaching experience, albeit more consistent.
Buckley began coaching at his alma mater Florida State University in 2012 and has had stints at Akron, Louisville, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss since that time.
Despite his best intentions, coach Buckley appeared lost and despondent at times this season. In the following comment, he throws his entire team under the bus after an embarrassing performance.
Terrell Buckely did not hold back 😳@XFL2023 | @XFLGuardians pic.twitter.com/q3ABgdfONh
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 26, 2023
Another XFL coach that could be on the hot seat is Seattle Sea Dragons offensive coordinator June Jones. He was arrested in Honolulu last Friday, June 30th, for a suspected DUI.
Jones was the head coach of the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in 2020, who were 5-0 at the time the league called it quits due to COVID-19. Now, the league may be ready to wish Coach Jones the best in his future endeavors, but he’s gone on the record stating that the citation was for speeding and had nothing to do with alcohol consumption.
“I was speeding and got stopped. I was coming from eating dinner. That’s all I need to say right now.”
Seattle Sea Dragons Offensive Coordinator June Jones
The XFL has yet to issue any comment regarding Coach Jones’ arrest.
With the XFL’s rookie draft recently completed and the league swiftly making plans for their return in 2024, we expect an announcement regarding a new coach in Vegas soon.