Former Foley High head football coach Todd Watson is back on the sidelines this spring, but this time it's at the professional level in the United Football League.

Watson has been named running backs coach for the Birmingham Stallions, adding another Baldwin County connection to the league. The Alabama prep football legend brings more than three decades of experience at the high school and collegiate levels, with stops at Hoover, Foley, Troy, Tennessee and Alabama.

During his time at Hoover as defensive coordinator, he helped guide the Buccaneers to four state championships in five seasons with a 70-4 record. Watson worked in the collegiate ranks from 2015-23 and most recently spent time under legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban as a special assistant before Saban retired following the 2024 season.

At Foley, Watson compiled an 80-35 record, went 8-10 in the playoffs, led the Lions to a program-record 12 wins in 2007 and capped that season with a 6A Region 2 title. He ranks among the top three in all-time wins by a Foley head coach and has produced NFL talent such as Julio Jones, D.J. Fluker and Robert Lester.

His return to coaching after a two-year hiatus continues Baldwin County's pipeline to the UFL, joining former Gulf Shores quarterback Brandon Silvers and Spanish Fort product Trae Barry on the spring-league stage. The running back room he will oversee consists of three former NFL running backs: Snoop Conner, Anthony McFarland Jr. and Tyrion Davis-Price.

Watson and the Stallions open their season March 27 on the road against the Louisville Kings.