The Las Vegas Vipers Head Coach has been hired following their first season of this version of the league. The XFL communications announced the hiring on Friday, July eight. The Vipers hired Anthony Blevins to be their coach for the 2024 season. The Vipers had a rough first year, but through expanding the number of players they can hold on to, and now this hiring, they can have higher hopes for next year. Here is a look at the new Las Vegas Vipers head coach.
Las Vegas Vipers Head Coach: Coaching History
The new Vegas Vipers head coach began as a Graduate Assistant at Mississippi State University. Blevins was there from 2005 until 2007. His next step up was in 2008, when he coached cornerbacks and was a recruiting coordinator at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He was only there for one year before moving to Tennessee State University from 2009 until 2011. There, he was the Special Teams and Cornerbacks coach. In 2012, he was the cornerbacks coach for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. That was his final year coaching college football.
Former Giants Special Teams Assistant Coach Anthony Blevins – Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
His first NFL job was with the Arizona Cardinals. Blevins was there from 2013 until 2017 as a coaching assistant and special teams coach. Next, he joined the New York Giants. The Giants was the last NFL team he was with before becoming the Las Vegas Vipers head coach. From 2018 to 2019, Blevins was New York’s assistant special teams coach. In 2020 he became the assistant defensive backs coach. In 2021, the coach moved to be the assistant linebackers and assistant special teams coach. Finally, in 2022 he was the assistant special teams coach.
Now, Blevins will get his chance to be a head coach in the XFL for the Las Vegas Vipers. Before coaching, he did play as a cornerback, which would explain why he coached that position for so many years. While the XFL is a great place for players to prove themselves, that is the same for coaches.
2023 Vegas Vipers Season
Las Vegas Vipers QB Luis Perez (12) – Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal
The Vipers did struggle in 2023. Their record was 2-8, the second-worst record in the league. They ended in last place in the North Division as well. Their offense ended in last place in rushing, passing, receiving, and scoring, according to the XFL. Blevins may be a defensive-minded coach, but the team needs a lot of help on the offensive side of the ball if they want to win.
Their defense will also need a lot of help from their new head coach. They were the lowest-ranked team in each category on defense. Now, having a head coach with experience playing on defense and coaching that side of the ball could potentially be a big help. There needs to be some kind of spark, and perhaps the new Vegas Vipers head coach can help with that.
Aside from defensive coaching, Blevins has experience as a special teams coach. When looking at where the team has been ranked so far, it should be no surprise that their special teams were also in last place. This includes punting, kickoffs, and return yards. It is safe to say the Vipers will need a lot of help before the 2024 season.
Looking Ahead at Vegas Vipers Head Coach and Team
Las Vegas Vipers Qb Brett Hundley (2) and RB John Lovett (8) – Candice Ward/USA TODAY Sports
In year two, the XFL teams should be more level. The higher-up teams, such as the Seattle Sea Dragons, did lose players who are getting a chance in the NFL. This can help the Vipers in year two. Of course, they will need to make changes, but it could help with team chemistry. The XFL as a league has been doing more in order to build teams, such as holding college drafts and more combines. It will not be everyone starting from scratch like last season.
Blevins being hired as the Las Vegas Vipers head coach will be a good thing for him and the team. Vipers only have room for improvement, while Blevins can prove himself as a coach. It will be a while until fans can see how this hiring turns out, but it will still be something to look forward to.
