The United Football League announced that DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris has been named the 2025 UFL Buddy Teevens Coach of the Year.
The UFL Coach of the Year Award is named in honor of Buddy Teevens, a longtime head coach at Dartmouth College. He was celebrated for his forward-thinking approach, unwavering commitment to player safety and well-being, and lasting impact on the game over a nearly 40-year coaching career.
Teevens, who led The Big Green to five Ivy League Championships, was a true pioneer advocating for equality and diversity within his coaching staff. His commitment to creating opportunities for women in coaching fostered a more inclusive environment and broke down barriers for women in the coaching world. He passed away in September 2023.
Started as an assistant coach. Finished as UFL Coach of the Year 🫡 pic.twitter.com/N239jQd0Ug
— D.C. Defenders (@XFLDefenders) June 12, 2025
Harris was named Interim Head Coach of the Defenders on Sunday, March 23, after former head coach Reggie Barlow stepped down to accept the head coaching position at Tennessee State University. Harris led DC to a 6-4 regular-season record, earning a berth in the XFL Conference Championship Game. His Defenders defeated the St. Louis Battlehawks 36-18 Sunday to advance to the 2025 UFL Championship Game. Under Harris’s leadership, DC earned seven All-UFL selections, which was tied for the most in the league.
Harris and DC opened the season with an 18-11 home win against the defending UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions. In that game, the Defenders registered a franchise-high eight sacks.
The Defenders went 4-1 through their first five games with wins over the Memphis Showboats (17-12), St. Louis Battlehawks (27-15) and Arlington Renegades (37-33). In Week Eight, DC clinched a playoff berth with a 33-30 win over Arlington at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Under Harris’ tutelage, Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu had a standout season and is a finalist for the 2025 UFL MVP. During the regular season, Ta’amu led the UFL in passing yards (2,294), passing touchdowns (17), and total yards (2,333) while playing nine of 10 games. Ta’amu led a DC offense that ranked No. 1 in the UFL in total offense (3,454).
DC also made an impact on the defensive side of the ball. The Defenders ranked among league leaders in tackles for loss (1st, 59), takeaways (T-1st, 17), forced fumbles (T-2nd, 9), sacks (3rd, 22), and interceptions (T-3rd, 7).
The 2025 UFL season will conclude with the 2025 UFL Championship Game presented by Underdog, which will air on ABC on Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.