Kevin Sumlin is back on the sidelines, this time as the new head coach of the United Football League’s (UFL) Houston Gamblers.
Last week, the UFL announced that the former head coach of the University of Houston and Texas A&M was named the Gamblers’ head coach. He returns to Houston serving for two seasons as the associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Maryland for two seasons (2023-24).
“Kevin Sumlin brings an excellent record of success at the head coaching level, especially in the state of Texas, where he has made his mark as a winner,” said UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon. “It is only appropriate that someone with deep roots in Texas football history takes over Houston as it embarks on a new era as the Gamblers.”
It’s Sumlin’s second go-round with the team as he was the franchise’s head coach in 2022 when it was with the USFL. He left after one season to coach under Mike Locksley at Maryland, but now he’s returned for another run in Houston.
He brings a wealth of experience with him back to Houston.
In addition to being the head coach for the Cougars and Aggies, he was also the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats and has an overall collegiate head coaching record of 98-70. Before that, he was an assistant coach at Washington State (1989-90), Wyoming (1991-92), Minnesota (1993-97), Purdue (1998-2000), and Texas A&M (2001-02). Then from 2003-07, he was an assistant coach at Oklahoma.
In addition, he was a two-time Conference USA Coach of the Year (2009, 2011) and the 2012 SEC Coach of the Year.
And although he’s been around the country, Texas appears to be where his passion for football resides.
