Ex-UW Huskies coach Rick Neuheisel returns to coaching

Former UW Huskies Rose Bowl-winning football coach Rick Neuheisel is returning to the sidelines.

Neuheisel, 64, was announced as the head coach of the United Football League’s Dallas Renegades on Tuesday. He replaces legendary former University of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who retired earlier this month after spending the past three seasons as the Renegades’ head coach.

The UFL is the premier spring professional football league. It was created in 2024 as the result of a merger between the XFL and the USFL.

“I am elated to join the UFL as the head coach of the Dallas Renegades,” Neuheisel said in a press release. “I have been a big believer in spring football since its inception with the USFL back in the 80’s when I played quarterback for the San Antonio Gunslingers. It was a thrill then and it is a thrill now.

“While it is not easy to follow in the footsteps of Bob Stoops, it is really exciting to join the incredible sports scene in Dallas, Texas. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Neuheisel went 33-16 over his four seasons as UW’s head coach from 1999-2002. He guided the Huskies to a Pac-10 title and an 11-1 campaign in 2000, capped by a 34-14 win over Purdue in the Rose Bowl. The Huskies finished that season at No. 3 in the Associated Press poll.

Neuheisel also spent tenures of four seasons as head coach at the University of Colorado (1995-98) and UCLA (2008-11). He went 87-58 over his 12 seasons as a college head coach.

In addition, Neuheisel spent three seasons on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff from 2005-07, including one year as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator.

This will be Neuheisel’s first coaching gig since 2019, when he was the head coach of the Alliance of American Football’s Arizona Hotshots.

Neuheisel will continue his role as a college football analyst for CBS Sports, according to the press release. He has worked at CBS Sports since 2015.

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