Former St. Louis Rams legend Ricky Proehl has been named new head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks. (Photo courtesy: UFL.com)
ST. LOUIS, MO — The United Football League announced on Monday that St. Louis Rams legend Ricky Proehl has been named head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks for the upcoming 2026 season.
Proehl, who was an assistant with the Battlehawks in 2023 as the team’s wide receivers coach, will replace Anthony Becht, who was named head coach of the UFL expansion team, Orlando Storm, last week.
“Ricky Proehl is the perfect fit to step into the shoes of head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks,” UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon said. “He has not only achieved greatness on the gridiron as a player and a coach, but he is deeply rooted in the Gateway City, where he was Super Bowl champion with St. Louis Rams and an assistant coach with the St. Louis Battlehawks.”
As a popular member of Rams’ “The Greatest Show on Turf” teams from 1999-2002, most St. Louis football fans remember Proehl for making the game-winning touchdown catch in the Rams’ 1999 NFC Championship Game victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Proehl hadn’t caught a touchdown pass all season, but he caught the game-winner in the NFCCG and then went on to help St. Louis finish off the team’s and city’s first-ever championship season with a dramatic 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Ricky Proehl makes the game-winning TD catch in the St. Louis Rams’ 1999 NFC Championship Game victory over Tampa Bay. (Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Proehl played in three more Super Bowls in his career — with three different teams — including the Rams’ team that went to the Super Bowl following the 2001 season (Super Bowl XXXVI against New England).
During his 17-year NFL playing career, Proehl was a member of the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1990-94), Seattle Seahawks (1995-96), Chicago Bears (1997), St. Louis Rams (1998-2002), Carolina Panthers (2003-05), and the Indianapolis Colts (2006), where he made 669 receptions for 8,878 yards and scored 54 touchdowns.
“I have so many meaningful and special memories of St. Louis — not only because of the success on the field, but because of the people who made it feel like home,” Proehl said, in a statement released on UFL.com. “I valued the opportunity to work alongside Anthony Becht, wish him the very best, and am truly honored to return now as the Battlehawks’ head coach.
“Since my playing career, my focus has been on developing players and helping them reach the next level. We will continue that commitment as we work to bring another football championship to the best sports town in the country.”
After his playing career, Proehl moved into the coaching ranks with the Carolina (2011-16), where he helped guide the team to an appearance in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.
Along with his vaunted NFL career, which began as a third round selection (58th overall) in the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cardinals, Proehl was inducted into the Wake Forest Hall of Fame in 2002.
“We are excited to welcome Ricky Proehl back as head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks,” UFL Senior Vice President of Football Operations & Chief of Staff, David Dykeman said. “Ricky had a legendary career in the city of St. Louis and we know this franchise and fan base will be so excited to welcome him back.”
The 2026 UFL season will begin in late March. The full league schedule is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.