MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — 11-year NFL veteran and former WVU tight end Anthony Becht has been selected as a head coach for one of the eight XFL franchises. Competition will begin in 2023 as the league reboots following a COVID-shortened 2020 season.
The league announced head coaches for the other seven teams on Wednesday. The list includes several former NFL and NCAA head coaches and players: Reggie Barlow, Terrell Buckley, Jim Haslett, Wade Phillips, Bob Stoops, Hines Ward and Rod Woodson.
Becht was recently the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl tight ends coach, where he worked with the top-rated college tight ends to strengthen their draft position. In 2018, he was the tight ends coach for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football.
Becht was a first-round pick of the New York Jets in 2000 and also played for the Buccaneers, Rams, Cardinals and Chiefs. The Drexel Hill, Pa. native caught 83 passes for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns at WVU from 1996-1999.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Becht has been active in various media ventures. He served as a college football color commentator for ESPN and has worked as a radio analyst covering the Jets and Buccaneers.