TAKE THE TAG OFF: Shannon Harris Named DC Defenders HC

IT’S OFFICIAL: Shannon Harris is officially the Head Coach of the DC Defenders. Fans, players, media members, and plenty of others have been begging for the league to “Take The Tag Off” – and they finally have.

Now, this is a rather unique development due to the fact that Harris will be “double dipping”. He was recently confirmed to have been added to Tennessee State’s coaching staff, serving as Reggie Barlow’s offensive coordinator.

However, he will be serving in both gigs. In what’s an unprecedented move by a UFL Head Coach, Harris will continue to serve with the Defenders – while also providing Tennessee State with his OC requirements in the fall. The UFL being able to maintain Shannon on staff is excellent news heading toward 2026.

Shannon, and this DC team, boast one of the greatest stories in spring football’s short history. None of DC’s recent success would have been possible without the leadership of Harris, who served as the team’s interim HC in 2025.

Shannon’s Unique Rise To The Top

With Reggie Barlow leaving for Tennessee State just a week before kickoff, Harris was thrown into the head coaching role. He was the team’s quarterbacks coach the past couple of years, before stepping up to the plate in late March.

The journey all began in week one, with an upset win over the reigning champs in the Birmingham Stallions. A fired up Harris had some select words for Coach Skip Holtz following the game – giving us a glimpse into the character he boasted: fearless.

At the midway point of the season, DC was 4-1 – with the best record in the UFL. They rode that momentum into a postseason berth, defeating the St. Louis Battlehawks 36-18 on the road. It was a smooth victory for the Defenders, which was capped off a week later with their takedown of the Panthers.

A little over a month ago, DC waltzed into The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, trouncing the Michigan Panthers 58-34. It was a game that the Defenders dominated on every level, solidifying their legacy in spring football history.

After DC’s historic season, Shannon Harris was named UFL Buddy Teevens Coach of the Year. He’s the first interim head coach to win a pro football championship, and just the second to earn a COTY award in pro football. The only other coach to do that? Bruce Arians, with the Indianapolis Colts in 2012.

Final Thoughts

The move to make Shannon DC’s Head Coach is one that the UFL should be very proud of. It’s one of the best decisions the league has made all year long, and is one that will have DC Defenders fans across the nation’s capital more excited than ever for the 2026 UFL season.

“Shannon Harris isn’t just a remarkable UFL story—he’s one of the most inspiring figures in all of sports this year…It’s a true honor to name him head coach of the DC Defenders. This season, he kept his team united and motivated, guiding them to the 2025 UFL Championship and finishing as the league’s top team. We’re excited to see Shannon back on the sidelines in 2026 as DC begins its title defense.” – UFL CEO & President, Russ Brandon

It’s a gig that will work out quite well for Harris. In DC, he can remain the leader of their culture – while leaning into OC Fred Kaiss, DC Blake Williams, and their outstanding GM in Von Hutchins. At Tennessee State, he’ll serve as the OC – but will also be leaning into the strong support of Reggie Barlow (HC) and Gregg Williams (DC) for recruitment and team building.

After what was a triumphant campaign in 2025, which culminated in a Championship Trophy, DC will look to run it back – and maintain the terror, with their fearless leader in Shannon Harris at the helm.

What are your thoughts on Shannon Harris returning to the DC Defenders as Head Coach? Should he be in both gigs? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!