The DC Defenders have announced their coaching lineup for the 2026 UFL season, aiming once again to capture the title. Following a historic championship win in 2025 under Shannon Harris, the team is poised to build on that success with Harris returning to lead the charge. The focus keyword, DC Defenders 2026 Coaching, highlights the renewed commitment to maintaining dominance as the team prepares their campaign from Southlake, Texas.
Shannon Harris Ushers in Championship-Caliber Leadership
Shannon Harris’s story with the Defenders is remarkable. He assumed the head coach role just a week before the 2025 season started after Reggie Barlow’s sudden departure, yet managed to steer the team smoothly to a 6-4 regular-season record. Harris then pushed the Defenders through a flawless 2-0 playoff run, defeating St. Louis and Michigan, culminating in the franchise’s first championship. His efforts were recognized with the Buddy Teevens UFL Coach of the Year award.
Shannon Harris has been named the @TheUFL’s Coach of the Year 👏
Will he lead the @XFLDefenders to a championship on Saturday? pic.twitter.com/EbTDv0wwdK
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 12, 2025
Before returning to the Defenders full-time, Harris served as Offensive Coordinator at Tennessee State University under Reggie Barlow in the fall. Now freed from the interim tag, Harris approaches his second year as DC’s head coach with a clear goal: to defend the championship and keep “the terror” alive in The District.
Fred Kaiss Remains at the Helm of the Offense
Fred Kaiss continues as the offensive coordinator, bringing continuity to one of the league’s best offenses. Kaiss has been a vital part of the Defenders’ coaching staff for three seasons and was named UFL Assistant Coach of the Year in 2025. Last season, his offense amassed a league-record 3,454 yards and set a UFL single-season passing record at 246.5 yards per game. Central to this offensive firepower was veteran quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who posted career-best numbers and led the team in championship scoring, igniting a 58-point outburst in the title game.
Kaiss’s extensive coaching background spans collegiate and professional stops, including Morgan State, Tennessee State, Texas A&M, Alabama State, and Alcorn State. After a brief hiatus from football, Kaiss joined Reggie Barlow’s staff in Washington in 2023, adding vital experience to the Defenders’ offensive strategy.
Blake Williams Promoted to Defensive Coordinator
Blake Williams officially returns as defensive coordinator after stepping up in 2025 to succeed his father, Gregg Williams, partway through the season. Initially hired to coach the defensive line, Blake earned the full coordinator title after demonstrating strong leadership and tactical acumen. His NFL experience is impressive, with coaching roles including the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets from 2008 to 2021.
One of the best things about the #UFL on @FOXSports: the inside audio access.
Sunday’s Easter showdown between DC & San Antonio featured two young, brilliant minds in Payton Pardee and Blake Williams going at it.
Thought this sequence in particular was pretty damn… pic.twitter.com/7FKh4TPsB8
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 22, 2025
Williams’s deep pro and college coaching experience spans over a decade, making him a crucial figure in shaping the Defenders’ defense. His leadership helped guide DC to a decisive 58-34 victory against Michigan in the 2025 UFL Championship.
Supporting Coaches Shaping the Team’s Core
David Johnson Leads Quarterbacks Unit
David Johnson returns to serve in a dedicated quarterbacks coaching role after advancing within the organization from video assistant to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2025. His background includes coaching at South Oak Cliff High School, where he led the team to two championship titles. Johnson’s steady rise in the coaching ranks underscores the Defenders’ approach to developing talent from within.
Brian Braswell Steers the Offensive Line
Brian Braswell resumes his role overseeing the offensive line, where he has proven effective in developing pro-level talent. He was instrumental in preparing players like Liam Fornadel, Gunner Britton, Mason Brooks, and Yasir Durant, all of whom secured NFL contracts after the 2025 season. Braswell brings experience from Maryland, where his unit supported Taulia Tagovailoa’s emergence as the Big Ten all-time passing yards leader in 2023, and from his tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals, contributing to their 2015 AFC North championship.
Andre Simmons Drives Wide Receiver Success
Andre Simmons exemplifies the UFL’s mission to cultivate coaching as well as playing talent. After playing at Independence Community College and Colorado, Simmons began coaching wide receivers at Independence from 2022 to 2024. His proactive outreach to Reggie Barlow helped him secure the wide receivers coach position in 2025. Under his guidance, DC’s receivers excelled, with Cornell Powell leading the league in touchdowns and Chris Rowland earning All-UFL recognition.
“Being this young, and having the chance to be a position coach in this league, is truly a blessing.”@XFLDefenders WR Coach @Andre__Simmons took an unorthodox path to the #UFL, but he’s been the catalyst behind a room that has excelled at every level:https://t.co/i4haj2AIbi
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 23, 2025
Jerod Kruse Oversees Linebackers and Special Teams
Jerod Kruse returns to head the linebackers and special teams units for DC. Joining the staff in 2025, Kruse initially worked alongside Blake Williams with the linebackers. With a coaching history including safeties coaching positions for the Cleveland Browns (2017-2018) and the Kansas City Chiefs (2021-2022), as well as a head coaching tenure at William Jewell College, Kruse blends college and NFL-level knowledge to strengthen these critical areas.
Vernon Dean Strengthens Defensive Backfield
Veteran coach Vernon Dean, a former Super Bowl Champion defensive back, continues his fourth season leading the Defenders’ secondary. Dean has been a cornerstone of the franchise’s defensive identity since 2023. His mentorship helped DeAndre Baker achieve All-UFL honors, while numerous other defensive backs garnered NFL attention. Dean’s extensive coaching career dates back to 1990, featuring significant roles such as defensive coordinator at Georgetown and defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs and Virginia State.
Building for Another Title Amid Stability and New Energy
The retention of the core coaching trio—Shannon Harris, Fred Kaiss, and Blake Williams—alongside nearly the entire staff, reflects the Defenders’ vision of sustained excellence. The 2026 roster will feature several fresh faces, but the coaching foundation remains strong, fueling optimism for a repeat championship run. Their practice facility remains set at Southlake Carroll Dragon Stadium in Texas, where the team will prepare rigorously for the upcoming campaign.
With this coaching lineup in place, the DC Defenders emphasize stability and continuity during a competitive, intense UFL season. Fans eagerly anticipate seeing if the team can once again “maintain the terror” and bring another trophy to The District.
DC #Defenders Full #UFL Coaching Staff:
HC: Shannon Harris
OC: Fred Kaiss
DC/DL: Blake Williams
QB: David Johnson
OL: Brian Braswell
WR: Andre Simmons
DB: Vernon Dean
LB/ST: Jerod KruseThe Defenders will practice at Southlake Carroll Dragon stadium in Southlake, Texas.
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) February 23, 2026
Shannon Harris has been named the @TheUFL's Coach of the Year 👏
Will he lead the @XFLDefenders to a championship on Saturday? pic.twitter.com/EbTDv0wwdK
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 12, 2025
One of the best things about the #UFL on @FOXSports: the inside audio access.
Sunday's Easter showdown between DC & San Antonio featured two young, brilliant minds in Payton Pardee and Blake Williams going at it.
Thought this sequence in particular was pretty damn… pic.twitter.com/7FKh4TPsB8
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 22, 2025
"Being this young, and having the chance to be a position coach in this league, is truly a blessing."@XFLDefenders WR Coach @Andre__Simmons took an unorthodox path to the #UFL, but he's been the catalyst behind a room that has excelled at every level:https://t.co/i4haj2AIbi
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 23, 2025
