Mountaineers in the Pros
Anthony Becht Kicks Off 2026 UFL Season by Securing Monumental Win
After moving on from a successful tenure with one UFL franchise to take over a new one in the off-season, Anthony Becht kicked off the 2026 season in style on Sunday night.
The WVU Sports Hall of Famer made history by leading the Orlando Storm to their first win in franchise history, a 23-16 win over the Columbus Aviators. Led by multiple two-minute drills, Becht’s new team starts the season 1-0 as he now has 16 career wins as a head coach, the second most in brief history of the UFL.
In typical Becht fashion, he delivered an inspiration speech to his team in the locker room after their big win.
Becht spent the last three seasons breaking into the coaching profession in spring professional football with the St. Louis Battlehawks, initially in the XFL and then continuing with them as they transitioned into the UFL. He went 22-8 during that span.
Becht interviewed for the WVU head coach position after Neal Brown was fired and before West Virginia brought Rich Rodriguez back for a second tenure.
Becht discussed his aspirations to coach in college football over the NFL while talking with Mike Asti of WV Sports Now in the press box prior to kickoff before WVU played his son Rocco’s Iowa State team during the 2024 season.
After hearing Becht bring up his plans to “get where I want to be” as far as furthering his coaching career, Asti then asked if he was alluding to wanting to coach in the NFL. Becht replied by correcting that thought and saying he’s actually striving to coach in college football.
“No, I’ve had opportunities to go the NFL and I’ve passed. Right now for me, college coach is where I want to be. I want to be a head coach in college.” He then gave a “we’ll see” when asked if he’d be willing to go the assistant route and work his way up within the college ranks.
Becht said he feels he can have more of an impact on kids coaching in college and sees college football as a better fit for his coaching style.
Becht, who played football for WVU from 1996-99, finished his Mountaineer career second in tight end receptions (83) and tight end receiving yardage (1,178). He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class.
Anthony Becht holds a plaque on the field during a game in 2024 to commemorate his induction into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)
Becht was selected as the 27th overall pick in the first round by the New York Jets in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played 11 seasons over 12 years at tight end in the NFL for the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. From 2000-10, he played in 161 straight games, trailing only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in that span.
Find more coverage of Anthony Becht at WV Sports Now.
