Shannon Harris was named head coach of the DC Defenders after serving as interim head coach throughout the 2025 season and leading the team to a UFL Championship. 

Harris, the recipient of the 2025 UFL Buddy Teevens Coach of the Year Award, was named the interim head coach of the Defenders on Sunday, March 23, after former head coach Reggie Barlow stepped down to become head coach at Tennessee State a few days before the start of the new season. 

In Harris’ first season guiding DC, the Defenders improved from a 4-6 record in 2024 to 6-4 in 2025 before going on to a 36-18 victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks in the 2025 XFL Conference Championship Game and then to a 58-34 win over the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship.

 

Harris began this past season at the helm with an 18-11 home win against the defending 2024 UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions in Week One. In that game, DC registered a franchise-high eight sacks. 

The Defenders went on to go 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 slim 33-30 win over Arlington at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. 

Under Harris’ tutelage, Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu had a standout season. Through 10 games, Ta’amu led the UFL in passing yards (2,294), passing touchdowns (17) and was No. 2 in total yards (2,333).  Overall, DC’s offense led the UFL in total yards (3,454). Ta’amu capped off the season with a record performance in the UFL Championship Game receiving MVP honors after throwing for 390 yards and scoring five touchdowns (four passing, one running).