Steelers legend Hines Ward is out as the head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL, James Larsen reports. Larsen reports that Wade Philips will replace Ward as the head coach. Phillips was the head coach of the Houston Roughnecks before landing this gig.
Ward is the second former Steeler to be fired along with Rod Woodson, the head coach for the Vegas Vipers. The San Antonio Bahamas under Hines Ward proved successful, landing multiple signees with NFL teams, including Luq Barcoo of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Woodson’s Vipers had zero NFL signings.
Ward went just 3-7 under Ward, though their talent development seemed to go well. Now, Ward is out and free to go coach elsewhere. He caught on with the New York Jets as an offensive assistant prior to the 2019 season. He stayed there through the 2020 season and was hired by Florida Atlantic University in 2021 to become their wide receivers coach.
The XFL and USFL are conducting a merger, which is leading to plenty of changes throughout the process. This is just the latest change for the group to make, with Ward being ousted after just one season at the team’s helm. The league is likely to have eight teams, with other s being consolidated or eliminated as part of the merger between the two leagues.