Reggie Barlow On The Verge Of XFL Championship

Former HBCU athlete and head coach is on the verge of winning a professional football championship.

HOUSTON — The DC Defenders' head coach Reggie Barlow is on the precipice of making history — for HBCUs and the XFL.  "We started from nothing," as Reggie Barlow began painting the picture of the DC Defenders' genesis in the XFL.  "It was just a blank sheet of paper with my name at the top, 'Reggie Barlow, head coach.' We strategically picked these guys to be a part of it [new team].  That's why I feel special to be at the point we're at now. Because it was built from nothing, we're proud of everybody that's a part of it."

Should the football team he built defeat the Arlington Renegades at Saturday's 2023 XFL Championship game, Barlow would accomplish a feat that no former HBCU head coach has ever done in the professional ranks — win a championship title as a head coach.

Head Coach Reggie Barlow hoists XFL North Division Championship Trophy;  Credit: DC Defenders

DC DEFENDERS HAVE AN 'HBCU FLAVOR'

"We were very intentional," Coach Barlow mentioned on building the DC Defenders. "When we got the staff. We knew what we wanted the staff to look like.  We definitely wanted guys that we have worked with before and have had success.  So that's why Fred Kaiss is our offensive coordinator. He was our offense coordinator when I was at Alabama State.  Shannon Harris, our quarterbacks' coach, he was also our quarterbacks' coach at Alabama State. We wanted an 'HBCU flavor' on our staff.  We wanted a mixture of guys who have been head coaches, coordinators and have coached in the NFL.  We have about six HBCU grads on our staff."

The formula worked. The Defenders hired two minority executives, Stacie Johnson (Director of Team Operations} and Von Hutchins (Director of Player Personnel), who Coach Barlow said "have done amazing jobs" for the club this season.

The 2023 XFL Coach of the Year reflected, "Obviously, to have this type of success, you must populate yourself with good people.  That's what we've done.  The job demanded more."  He repeated, "The job demanded more."

More of the Defenders' HBCU flavor is infused with players Chris Blair (Alcorn State) and quarterback Geremy Hickbottom (Grambling and Tennessee State). "Chris Blair has been outstanding.  When we got this position and were looking for players, Chris Blair was one of the guys we wanted at the time.  He was on the Green Bay roster, and wasn't sure if we could get him.  He's a pro and deserves to be in the NFL."

Feb 19, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. Defenders Head Coach Reggie Barlow (R) yells from the sidelines against the Seattle Sea Dragons at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

THE CORNERSTONES ON OFFENSE

Although Jordan Ta'amu - 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year - is the Defenders' starting quarterback, Geremy Hickbottom was an excellent addition to the team. "Hickbottom was one of those guys as well that we liked during the evaluation process. He can make all the throws and understands our offense. Hopefully, going into next season, he'll be a guy that will have an opportunity to compete for a starting job, should we may lose Ta'amu to the NFL."

One of the two cornerstones for the DC Defenders' offense has been running back Abram Smith (Baylor), the team's No. 1 college draft pick.  Last preseason, Smith was with the New Orleans Saints before his release on roster cut-down day.  "He has made us right for taking him in the first round with his production.  He can run with power inside, outside and catch the ball.  He's great while protecting the passing game and is a solid player all the way around.  He's been good for us and a good teammate."

Barlow was searching for a quarterback telling offensive coordinator Fred Kiass, "Ta'amu would fit our system" on offense with the Defenders.  They got him. "He's been a joy to coach. He leads in his own way.  He's a confident guy.   There's been this misnomer about him being this athletic, running quarterback.  Jordan has displayed his ability to throw the ball deep, over the middle, short route, shallow route, and curl.  He's put together a nice toolbox of throws.  He's a born leader, has a great Football IQ, and will represent any franchise the right way. We're just pleased to have him."

DC Defenders head coach Reggie Barlow; Credit: XFL

BARLOW'S FOUNDATION IN COACHING

Coaching HBCU football programs gave Reggie Barlow the solid foundation he needed before the XFL eventually offered him a head coaching position in the league's reboot, with Danny Garcia and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as the owners.  Before his ascension to the XFL, Jim Nagy, the Reeses' Senior Bowl executive director, offered Barlow an opportunity to participate in their Minority Coaching Fellowship program.  "I've known Coach Barlow a long time, going back to when he was head coach at Alabama State, so he was an easy choice to be part of the inaugural year of our Reese's Senior Bowl Minority Coaching Fellowship," Nagy shared with HBCU Legends.  "What made it especially cool was that he played in our game coming out of college.  First off, the guy is a leader.  He has the playing resume and presence to command respect from his players.  Second, he's been in charge before, so he knows the detail and responsibility that comes with it. It's no surprise he's doing great things with the XFL's Commanders.  He was ready for that opportunity to coach at the pro level.  If the Senior Bowl stage played even a small role in that happening, the HBCU program has already been worthwhile."

Reggie Barlow and Bob Stoops; Credit: XFL

BARLOW'S NEXT CHALLENGE

On Friday morning, the DC Defenders staff and team, led by Reggie Barlow, will travel to San Antonio for their upcoming game against the Arlington Renegade, coached by Bob Stoops.  This game is anticipated to be historic in many ways.

For the former HBCU player, head coach, and NFLer, lifting the 2023 XFL Championship trophy would solidify his life's pursuit of excellence. However, for Reggie Barlow, it's about his team. "I'm proud of these guys.  They worked so hard and built the foundation in the training camp. They've added structure to this season, one game at a time and winning.  We're in the playoffs. We put the roof on top of this thing with the win against Seattle, and now it's time to add some hardware."

Reggie Barlow and the DC Defenders are on the verge of doing just that in San Antonio. It'll be a close one.  In Week 2, the Defenders won 28-26 in overtime over the Renegades on April 16.  Will the Barlow and the DC Defenders hoist the 2023 XFL Championship Trophy?

We shall see.

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DC DEFENDERS TEAM NOTES

• The Defenders are led by 2023 XFL Coach of the Year Reggie Barlow.
• D.C.’s offense is paced by 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year Jordan Ta’amu. The Defenders’ signal-caller was No. 3 in the XFL in passing yards (1,894) and passing touchdowns (14). He added 301 yards rushing and 3 scores on the ground, finishing as the No. 7 rusher in the XFL regular season.
• All-XFL running back Abram Smith led the XFL in: rushing yards (791), rushing touchdowns (7), rushes of 10+ yards (21) and rushes of 20+ yards (5).
• All-XFL defensive back Michael Joseph was the only XFL player with multiple interception returns for a touchdown with 2. He was No. 2 in the league with 4 interceptions. He also recorded 41 total tackles, with 32 solo stops.
• All-XFL wide receiver Lucky Jackson led the league in receptions of 20 yards or more. He tallied 10 catches that went for 20-plus. Jackson was No. 5 in the XFL with 573 receiving yards on 36 receptions and scored 5 receiving touchdowns.
• All-XFL defensive lineman Davin Bellamy forced 3 fumbles, tallied 5.5 sacks and recorded 7 tackles for-loss during the XFL regular season.
• All-XFL punter Daniel Whelan averaged 45.6 yards per punt and pinned D.C. opponents inside their own 20-yard line 11 times.
• Wide receiver Chris Blair led the XFL in catches of 40-plus yards. Blair tallied 25 receptions for 594 yards and a league-best 22.8 yards per reception (among those with 5 catches or more).
• Quarterback D’Eriq King accounted for 9 touchdowns on the season, passing for 5 scores and running for 4. He finished the regular season with 286 yards of total offense.
• Linebacker Francis Bernard was the top tackler for D.C. through the regular season. He recorded 51 total tackles, while tacking on 6 tackles for-loss and 0.5 sacks.
• Kicker Matthew McCrane was 12-of-16 (.750) on field goals during the regular season, including a season-long of 50 yards.

Barlow finished his first XFL season as the 2023 Coach of the Year. Barlow led the Defenders to a league best 9-1 record.  Under coach Barlow, D.C. led the league in scoring, averaging 29.6 points per game.  The Defenders also led the league in rushing offense, averaging 140.8 yards per game and were No. 2 in the XFL in total offense (343.2 yards per game).