The Houston Gamblers – Houston’s United Football League franchise enters the 2026 spring season amid major changes, including a return to a familiar name, a new home stadium and a familiar coach leading the team.
The team formerly known as the Houston Roughnecks will compete as The Houston Gamblers, move home games from TDECU Stadium to Shell Stadium, and be coached by Kevin Sumlin, the league announced. UFL leadership cited Sumlin’s long track record as a successful head coach, particularly in Texas, as a key factor in the decision. League officials noted that his deep roots in Texas football history make him a fitting choice to lead Houston as the franchise begins a new chapter under the Gamblers name.
Sumlin replaces Curtis Johnson, who coached the team from 2023 through 2025. The move also marks a return to the franchise for Sumlin, who served as the team’s first head coach in 2022 when it competed as the Gamblers in the USFL. The franchise adopted the Roughnecks name following the merger of the USFL and XFL ahead of the 2024 season. Sumlin brings decades of college coaching experience to the role. He previously served as head coach at the University of Houston, Texas A&M and Arizona, and spent the past two seasons at Maryland as assistant head coach, co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
During his time at Houston, Sumlin earned Conference USA Coach of the Year honors twice before leaving for Texas A&M. With the Aggies, he led the program to one of its most successful seasons, including signature victories over top-ranked Alabama and Oklahoma during the school’s first year in the Southeastern Conference, with Johnny Manziel at quarterback. Sumlin has said returning to Texas holds personal significance and that he plans to build a competitive team that reflects the aggressive, entertaining style long associated with the Gamblers name.
The United Football League will feature eight teams when the 2026 season begins in March. Houston’s schedule has not yet been released.
