XFL returns to Houston in 2023; Wade Phillips to coach

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The XFL is coming back, and Houston will again be part of the league.

In an announcement made Sunday night in Arlington, Houston is one of three Texas franchises in the 8-team league taking part in the return of the XFL in 2023.

The yet-to-be-named team will play its home games at TDECU Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston.

Longtime Houstonian and iconic football coach Wade Phillips was announced as the head coach of Houston's XFL team.

In an interview you'll see only on ABC13, Adam Winkler chatted 1-on-1 with Houston's new head coach.

Adam addressed why the 75-year-old chose to return to coaching, what it's like having The Rock as a boss, and why he'll need more time to perfect the XFL hand gestures.

"It is a real honor to be the head coach here in Houston, a city that I've called home for many, many years. I know Houston fans better than anyone, and I know that we're going to have a good turnout and a great time at our games. We're going to have a team that is going to play as hard, and we'll come out with victories," said Phillips.

Phillips, a standout linebacker at UH, began his coaching career in 1970 as head coach of Stark High School. He's coached at the college and pro-level with Oklahoma State, the University of Kansas, the Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams-including as head coach for the Saints, Broncos, Bills, Falcons, Cowboys, and Texans.

XFL's relaunch is version 3.0 after the 2020 season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston fielded a team, the Roughnecks, during that season.

The XFL signed a global multi-year agreement with The Walt Disney Company ("TWDC") and ESPN for its upcoming 2023 season through 2027.

Each season, all 43 games (40 regular season games, two playoffs, and one championship) will be featured on a combination of ABC, ESPN networks, and FX. The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC13.

The XFL's 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, February 18, 2023.

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