Reggie Barlow enters his second season as the Defenders head coach. In his first season at the helm, Barlow led the Defenders to a league-best 9-1 record and a championship game appearance, while earning 2023 Coach of the Year honors.

In 2023, he coached seven players to All-XFL honors, including Offensive Player of the Year Jordan Ta’amu, most of any team. The Defenders also led the league in rushing yards (1,490) and rushing touchdowns (18). On defense, they were second in the XFL in sacks (29) and first in pick-sixes (4).

He joined the Defenders from Virginia State University, where he spent the past six seasons as Head Coach. In 2017, he led the Trojans to an undefeated regular season for the first time in school history, claiming the Northern Division title and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship title. He was named the CIAA Coach of the Year in 2017.

Previously, he coached at his alma mater Alabama State University, first as the Quarterback Coach and then as Head Coach from 2007-2014. While at Alabama State, Barlow mentored several quarterbacks including Super Bowl XLVII Champion Tarvaris Jackson and departed Montgomery with a 49-42

record across eight seasons. He has coached 45 All-Conference players, two Conference Players of the Year, and his teams have accumulated an 80% graduation rate.

While attending Alabama State, Barlow was a Receiver and Return Specialist for the Hornets. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In addition to the Jaguars, he played for the Oakland Raiders and the Super Bowl XXXVII Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1998, he led the NFL in punt return yards with 555 yards on 43 returns.