ARLINGTON, TX – December 23rd, 2025 – Anthony Becht, who served as head coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks for the past three seasons, has been named the first head coach in Orlando Storm history. Becht led St. Louis to back-to-back first-place finishes in the regular season and now turns his attention to guiding Orlando through its inaugural UFL campaign.
A proven leader. A new era in the 407.
— Orlando Storm (@UFLStorm) December 23, 2025
Anthony Becht is named Head Coach of the Orlando Storm. pic.twitter.com/H2fyUFslJW
Becht began his playing career at West Virginia University in 1995, where he developed into one of the most productive tight ends in program history. Over four seasons with the Mountaineers, Becht finished second all-time among tight ends with 83 receptions for 1,173 yards and 10 touchdowns. His collegiate resume included an honorable mention All-American selection and second-team All-Big East honors during his junior and senior seasons. Becht additionally was inducted into the West Virginia Hall of Fame in 2024.
The New York Jets selected Becht in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft, taking him with the 27th overall pick. He stepped into an immediate starting role, appearing in 14 games as a rookie and recording 16 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
From 2001 through 2003, Becht played in every game for the Jets and emerged as a consistent red-zone target. He caught five touchdown passes in both the 2001 and 2002 seasons and played a key role in New York’s Wild Card victory over the Indianapolis Colts during the 2002 postseason. His most productive year came in 2003, when he posted career highs with 40 receptions for 356 yards, along with four touchdowns.
Becht later spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs from 2005 to 2011. He appeared in every game from 2001 through 2009 and concluded his NFL career with 188 receptions for 1,537 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. During that span, Becht played in 152 consecutive games - the third-longest streak in the NFL, trailing only Brett Favre and Peyton Manning.
Following his playing career, Becht transitioned into media, joining ESPN as an analyst in 2013. His broadcasting career expanded to include co-hosting Football Fan Shop, serving as an analyst for Westwood One’s Sunday Night Football coverage, and ultimately becoming the New York Jets’ radio color commentator in 2024.
In 2022, Becht made the jump to coaching, accepting his first head coaching role with the St. Louis Battlehawks. He posted a 7-3 record in 2023 and repeated the mark in 2024, with the latter season resulting in a first-place finish in the XFL Conference during the UFL’s inaugural year. Despite the success, St. Louis fell short in the conference championship game.
Becht elevated the Battlehawks further in 2025, leading the team to an 8-2 regular-season record and a second consecutive first-place finish. Over three seasons, he compiled a 22-8 record as head coach in St. Louis.
Now, Becht now takes on a new challenge — one that quickly drew national attention. NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Becht’s move to Orlando within minutes of the announcement.
“Former NFL tight end and St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht, who went 22–8 over the past three seasons, will become head coach of the league’s new team, the Orlando Storm. UFL co-owner Mike Repole and President & CEO Russ Brandon have called on Anthony to ‘take on this challenge to help ensure the league’s long-term success,’” Schefter tweeted.
Becht embraced the opportunity and reaffirmed his commitment to both coaching and the league.
“I love coaching, man. This is a part of my life right now that I am committed to, and the UFL stands by me and I stand by them.”