San Antonio is the largest city in these United States without an NFL team. Rumor have always swirled that Jerry Jones blocks even the hint of placing a team in the Alamo City. The area is has a majority of Dallas Cowboy fans and Jerry does not want to lose the revenue. The fans are present in the Countdown City, proven during the brief stint of the AAF’s Commanders, which led the league in attendance. There is also the growing number of supporters for the UTSA Roadrunners where attendance has steadily grown each year of the team’s existence. The next chapter of football in San Antonio has arrived to the Alamodome, with the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas and once again San Antonio is ready.

Coaches:

The Brahmas will be led by a bull of ex-NFL player, Hines Ward, who made a name for being a hard nose wide receiver which is rare. Ward is a 2x Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His coaching resume is not as elaborate as some of the other head coaches but his knowledge of the game and experienced coordinators should fill in the gaps. Heading up the Brahmas offense is Jaime Elizondo. Coach Elizondo was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico and raised in El Paso, Texas. Coach Elizondo has 25 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level and Canadian Football League level, which is known for high powered offensive schemes. Running the defensive side of the ball is another experienced coach, Jim Herrman, who has a National Championship and Super Bowl championship under his resume. Coach Herrman was a player under the legendary coach Bo Schembechler at Michigan and began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1985 through 2005. The Brahmas have two additional defensive coaches who are Super Bowl champions with experience coaching as well in linebacker’s coach Joey Porter and defensive line coach Paul Spicer.

Team:

Looking through the Brahmas roster, it looks like they have a reasonably balanced load of talent at each unit of the team. Leading the team’s offensive huddle will be Jack Coan, Norte Dame, who in his senior year led the Fighting Irish to an 11-2 record, throwing for 3,150yds, 25 TDs, and 65.5% completion percentage. Maybe the strongest point of the Brahmas lineup is the running back stable with Jacques Patrick from Florida State, Kalen Ballage of Arizona State who had a stint with the Miami Dolphins and Jon Hilliman from Rutgers. These three backs are the deepest in the South Division by far. Receiving targets on this roster include another Super Bowl champion Landen Akers, DDSN favorite TJ Vasher from Texas Tech and nephew of Nathan Vasher. As long as the offensive line can provide holes and time, this offense will not struggle moving the ball.

On the defense, the linebackers will be the heart. Players such as Ben Davis from the University of Texas, Riko Jeffers of Texas Tech, Delontae Scott from SMU and Jordan Williams from Baylor leading the unit. The defensive line will be a stout unit with size but the secondary will be the question mark going into the season opener.

Season Prediction:

The Brahmas season will begin with a early season test against the St. Louis Battlehawks as a good measuring stick of their ceiling. They have the potential to be a top contender in the South but it will be up to the unknown capabilities of the offensive line and secondary which will both be tested week 1.  

Stay tuned for the remaining XFL team breakdowns as the season kicks off this Saturday!