Memphis Showboats will be part of new UFL in 2024; John DeFilippo hired as coach
The Memphis Showboats will be part of the new United Football League that is the result of the USFL-XFL merger, it was announced Monday.
The Showboats, formerly of the USFL, are one of eight teams that will compete in the league. The USFL Conference will include the Showboats, Houston Roughnecks, Birmingham Stallions and Michigan Panthers. The XFL Conference will include the Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas and St. Louis Battlehawks.
Memphis also announced John DeFilippo as its next coach. DeFilippo spent last season as the coach of the now-defunct New Orleans Breakers. He's well-known in NFL circles, having served as quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles during their Super Bowl season in 2017 and was offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The league will kick off March 30 when Birmingham faces Arlington. A full schedule has not been announced.
The Showboats went 5-5 in 2023 under coach Todd Haley. They were part of the USFL after being a franchise from 1984 to 1985. They play home games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The UFL was officially announced as the merged USFL-XFL league on Sunday. Both leagues operated independently during spring 2023.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 2024 Memphis Showboats join new UFL; John DeFilippo hired as coach
