Former UofL QB Chris Redman has been crowned coach of the Louisville Kings ahead of the team's United Football League debut season. What to know.
Louisville's new United Football League team has found its head coach. His name should ring a bell.
Chris Redman — 502 native, national Player of the Year at Male High School, UofL's all-time leading passer and Super Bowl 35 champion — will lead the Louisville Kings during their inaugural season in the spring football league, the UFL announced Tuesday morning.
"I am incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to represent the new Louisville Kings," Redman said in a statement from the UFL. "Louisville is home. I've been fortunate to have so many people support me throughout my career and I know they'll be behind me and the Kings as we work to bring a championship to this city. I am ready to get started building a team and coaching staff with championship-level experience. We're going to make Louisville proud."
UFL co-owner Mike Repole described Redman as "the perfect choice" to guide the Kings — one of the eight-team league's three new markets in 2026, joining Columbus, Ohio, and Orlando, Florida.
"Chris represents the heart and soul of the city," Repole said in a statement. "He will pair that passion with elite leadership at every level to build a championship culture for the Kings."
After a storybook run playing for his father, Bob Redman, at Male, Redman appeared in 43 games under center for his hometown Cardinals. He left with the program records for passing yards (12,541) and passing touchdowns (84) in addition to the 1999 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and multiple Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors.
The Baltimore Ravens selected Redman in the third round (75th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. He appeared in only two games during the team's Super Bowl run, but his career in the league spanned nine seasons and four different teams — the others being the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons. In total, he threw for 3,179 yards and 21 touchdowns across 30 games.
"Chris Redman represents the greatness of Louisville football," said Russ Brandon, UFL president and CEO, in a statement from the league. "As the head coach of the Kings, he will combine his knowledge and expertise acquired at the university and in the NFL with his deep roots and pride in his hometown as he builds a new winning tradition in the Bluegrass State."
The 2026 UFL season kicks off March 27. The Kings will play their home games at Lynn Family Stadium in Butchertown.
As of Tuesday morning, the process of filling the Kings' roster was unclear. But Repole told The Courier Journal in October he wanted to include as many former collegiate standouts from the region — like Redman — as possible.
"To me, this is a developmental league that's going to be really incredible quality," Repole said. "For these players, if your goal is to make the NFL, this league is for you. If your goal is just to collect a paycheck for 12 weeks, then you need to go work somewhere else. This is still about, 'Think big and dream bigger.'
"I think the fans are really going to appreciate the quality and the effort that they're going to see; because this is an opportunity for these guys — if you didn't get drafted, to still make it or, if you were a second-round pick and it didn't work out, this is your last chance."
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Kings name Chris Redman coach ahead of UFL debut season
Category: General Sports
