Former NFL and University of Alabama quarterback A. J. McCarron has ended his campaign for lieutenant governor of Alabama to pursue a coaching opportunity. McCarron was named the new head coach of the United Football League’s Birmingham Stallions. “A. J. McCarron is a part of the fabric of winning football that is woven throughout the state of Alabama,” UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon said, according to WBRC 6 News. “It is only appropriate that a winner like A. J. takes over the reins of the three-time champion Birmingham Stallions as they embark upon a new era,” he added. TAKING THE REINS AJ McCarron is your Birmingham Stallions Head Coach #giddyup pic.twitter.com/VokvSkkcBV — Birmingham Stallions (@UFLStallions) December 18, 2025 More from the Associated Press: McCarron, who led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back championships and played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, announced in October that he was running in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor. McCarron had leaned into the fact that he was a first-time candidate. In the statement ending his campaign, McCarron said, “it is time for political newcomers and conservative outsider candidates” to get involved. Records from the Alabama secretary of state’s office indicated that McCarron first registered to vote in Alabama in October, days before announcing his candidacy. “My football position will require the same 100% focus, commitment, and attention that I was prepared to give to the office of lieutenant governor, so it is time to end my campaign,” McCarron said, according to the outlet. POLITICAL PLAY: AJ McCarron announced he’s running for lieutenant governor of Alabama, calling himself a political outsider and saying he was inspired by the late activist Charlie Kirk to “get off the sidelines.” pic.twitter.com/6eHnbIyvuh — Fox News (@FoxNews) October 23, 2025 WBRC 6 News shared further: McCarron, a Mobile native, played for Alabama under head coach Nick Saban where he led the Tide to the 2011 and 2012 BCS National Championships. While McCarron has no experience as a coach, he said he’s excited for the opportunity. “This game has given me so much as a player, and now I am ready to give back as a coach,” he said. “It’s even more special that I get to do that while representing my home state – a state that has supported me throughout my career.” The announcement comes two days after former coach Skip Holtz announced he would be stepping away after leading the Stallions to three championships in the USFL and later UFL. “Our team will build upon the amazing legacy of Skip Holtz. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Holtz, what he has done for the league and for the Stallions,” McCarron said. “I am ready to put in the work that will continue producing championship wins for the city of Birmingham.”