In Texas, they say there are only two seasons: football season and spring football season. Once again, Houston will experience professional football in the spring.
The rebooted Houston Roughnecks, part of the newly-launched United Football League, will kick off their 10-game season in late March. C.J. Johnson, a coaching veteran with four decades of experience, visited along with his wife, Angel, to discuss the upcoming season.
“It’s a new opportunity,” remarked Johnson about his role as head coach of the Roughnecks. “It’s going to be fantastic. We’ll have players with NFL experience, both former and aspiring. This is a chance for them to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and being in Houston adds to the excitement.”
In the past two years, Texas has seen the launch of two spring football leagues: the XFL and USFL. Recently, these two leagues merged to form the United Football League. The Houston Gamblers of the USFL transitioned to become the Roughnecks of the UFL, with Johnson, a Super Bowl-winning assistant coach with the New Orleans Saints, at the helm.
“Many young men come through the UFL looking for another chance, just like me,” Johnson observed about the league’s players. “Opportunities will be plentiful, and with the support of the fans, I believe we’ll have an outstanding product on the field.”
At present, the venue for the Roughnecks’ home games remains uncertain. TDECU Stadium, located on the University of Houston campus, is unavailable due to ongoing construction.
