Now that the UFL has officially relocated and rebranded for 2026, the next big hurdle to jump: Head Coaches. Rumors have swirled around the status of Wade Phillips – formerly the Head Coach of the Houston Roughnecks and San Antonio Brahmas – heading towards 2026.
The rebrand of the Houston Roughnecks back to the Gamblers was a surprise to us all. However, it opens a unique door for the UFL. Since the USFL returned to the spring football scene in 2022, incorporating history and tradition into the product has been a focus.
With the addition of Mike Repole to the ownership group, he has made it clear: Repole’s desire is to hire new Head Coaches that have ties and connections to their respective markets.
Last week, Repole said he chose to replace the Roughnecks with the Gamblers name because of its “iconic” history, mentioning Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly’s tenure with the original 1980s team. This sparked a tweet from Wade Phillips, who said:
“So happy to see the Gamblers finally coming back to Houston. Great memories of Jack Pardee and Jim Kelly, etc.”
As it stands right now, one would expect that C.J. Johnson – currently the Head Coach of the Houston Roughnecks (now Gamblers) – would remain in Houston. But, what if the UFL decided to make a shift? Let’s take a look, hypothetically, on why this could be the right play for the league.
The Local Ties
There is no doubt about it: Wade Phillips wants to keep coaching football. Even though he had to step away during the 2025 UFL season for health reasons, Phillips made a couple of appearances in San Antonio towards the end of the season. He also was on local San Antonio radio stations claiming that he planned to return in 2026.
Now, with the San Antonio Brahmas no longer in operation, where does that leave Wade? He’s a recognizable figure in the area, having been born in Orange, Texas – attending the University of Houston and serving as a three year starter at linebacker.
When Wade Phillips was announced as Head Coach of the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks in 2023, Houston football fans were ecstatic. Phillips was previously the Defensive Coordinator and Interim Head Coach for the Houston Texans – and has a Super Bowl ring under his belt as well with the Denver Broncos.
On top of Wade’s Houston ties – there’s more to the story. Payton Pardee, who served on Phillips’ staff as a coordinator, has direct connections to the Houston Gamblers franchise. His grandfather, Jack, coached the Gamblers in the USFL from 1984-1985. Jack coached the legendary Jim Kelly, and went 23-13 as the Gamblers head coach.
How Would It Work?
With the deep roots that both Phillips and Pardee have in Houston, it could be the perfect match to get the fanbase excited again. Logistically, there is a formula that makes sense. It’s no secret that Wade Phillips has struggled with his health, hence his departure last year.
However, if the Gamblers were to retain his staff from the Brahmas – placing Payton Pardee as Offensive Coordinator – it could work. Considering Payton was already the Brahmas interim Head Coach this past season, after Wade stepped down, he’s got experience leading a football team. Phillips could be the “overseer” of the franchise, while Pardee would lead the operations as OC and Assistant Head Coach.
On the personnel side of things, the team would be set. They could bring General Manager Marc Lillibridge “back” from the Brahmas. Marc has full control on that side of things, meaning that Phillips doesn’t have to be heavily involved in player recruitment or signings, other than giving his approval.
Realistically, Wade Phillips wouldn’t have to do a ton, other than providing the team with stability – and providing the UFL with a marketable name in the area. It’s the best of both worlds, because it also keeps around Payton Pardee, a promising young coach who was dealt a tough deck of cards this past season.
What Happens To C.J. Johnson?
Of course, this hypothetical scenario begs the question: where would C.J. Johnson and his Roughnecks go? Truthfully, they could go anywhere. Let’s be brutally honest: Houston Gamblers/Roughnecks fans are not going to care if the “Roughnecks” get moved somewhere else. In fact, there were plenty of Roughnecks fans who were up and arms in 2024, when C.J. Johnson’s Gamblers took control. They lost their beloved Head Coach and team – and in their place, received an organization that went 1-9 in 2024. These factors certainly played a part in killing the fanbase in Houston.
Considering the lack of fandom in Houston for the current iteration of the Roughnecks, Gamblers, or whatever you want to call them – this move wouldn’t be detrimental to the UFL. It’s actually simpler than expected, too, since the team and players don’t even live in the city.
The UFL could move C.J. Johnson and his staff/players to one of the new locations (Columbus, Louisville, Orlando). Wade Phillips, Payton Pardee, and Marc Lillibridge could take back Houston – the market they originally were given in the XFL, anyway.
Final Thoughts
Of course, this entire piece is speculative. The UFL has not made any statements or claims regarding Wade Phillips, C.J. Johnson, or who will coach the Houston Gamblers in 2026.
Given the nature of the fluid situation at hand, though, this is an idea worth taking into consideration for the UFL. Wade Phillips loves spring football – and the league needs to keep building around its younger names such as Payton Pardee.
This move could be the bridge that Mike Repole & Co. are looking for in Houston. It’s something that, if marketed correctly, could get this fanbase excited once again. The numbers speak for themselves, Houston’s fan attendance was much stronger in the XFL in 2023.
What are your thoughts on Wade Phillips going back to the Houston Gamblers? Where would you put C.J. Johnson? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
