The United Soccer League introduced that DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris has been named the 2025 UFL Buddy Teevens Coach of the Yr.
The UFL Coach of the Yr Award is known as in honor of Buddy Teevens, a longtime head coach at Dartmouth School. He was celebrated for his forward-thinking strategy, unwavering dedication to participant security and well-being, and lasting impression on the sport over an almost 40-year teaching profession.
Teevens, who led The Massive Inexperienced to 5 Ivy League Championships, was a real pioneer advocating for equality and variety inside his teaching workers. His dedication to creating alternatives for girls in teaching fostered a extra inclusive atmosphere and broke down limitations for girls within the teaching world. He handed away in September 2023.
Began as an assistant coach. Completed as UFL Coach of the Yr 🫡 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 just accept the top teaching place at Tennessee State College. Harris led DC to a 6-4 regular-season document, incomes a berth within the XFL Convention Championship Recreation. His Defenders defeated the St. Louis Battlehawks 36-18 Sunday to advance to the 2025 UFL Championship Recreation. Below Harris’s management, DC earned seven All-UFL alternatives, which was tied for probably the most within the league.
Harris and DC opened the season with an 18-11 house win towards the defending UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions. In that recreation, the Defenders registered a franchise-high eight sacks.
The Defenders went 4-1 by their first 5 video 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 Subject in Washington, D.C.
Below Harris’ tutelage, Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu had a standout season and is a finalist for the 2025 UFL MVP. Through the common season, Ta’amu led the UFL in passing yards (2,294), passing touchdowns (17), and complete yards (2,333) whereas enjoying 9 of 10 video games. Ta’amu led a DC offense that ranked No. 1 within the UFL in complete offense (3,454).
DC additionally made an impression on the defensive facet of the ball. The Defenders ranked amongst league leaders in tackles for loss (1st, 59), takeaways (T-1st, 17), pressured fumbles (T-2nd, 9), sacks (Third, 22), and interceptions (T-Third, 7).
The 2025 UFL season will conclude with the 2025 UFL Championship Recreation offered by Underdog, which can air on ABC on Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET at The Dome at America’s Middle in St. Louis.
