Decision Time for DC's Shannon Harris Tops Storylines From 2025 UFL Season

Jordan Ta’amu had a simple request for the DC Defenders organization after an emphatic 58-34 win over the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship Game on Saturday — remove the interim tag for head coach Shannon Harris.

"We’re trying to take the tag off," Ta’amu said.

That sentiment is certainly warranted, considering Harris led the Defenders to a UFL title in his first season after replacing then-head coach Reggie Barlow just a week before the season began. Barlow took the head coaching job at Tennessee State, and Defenders defensive coordinator Gregg Williams followed a week later; Williams’ son Blake Williams took over as the defensive coordinator for the Defenders after his departure.

Despite major changes to the Defenders' coaching staff, they still managed to finish the season on top, championship trophy in hand and with Harris earning UFL Coach of the Year honors.

"He never blinked," tight end Briley Moore said about Harris. "He preached to really have us come together as one throughout the season, no matter what happened. It’s because of that we were able to keep our poise last week and beat them (the St. Louis Battlehawks) at home. And this week not to flinch in a big game. Shout out to Coach (Harris)."

Harris said it's "yet to be determined" whether he’ll follow Barlow and Williams to Tennessee State or accept a potential offer to remain the head coach of the Defenders permanently and defend the UFL title. 

"We still have a lot of meetings to go, and we still have things to talk over … but these guys here, it would be hard to leave these guys," Harris said.

Where Harris lands will be one of the top storylines to keep an eye on this offseason. Here’s a look at the other big themes from Saturday's title