The 2023 Houston Roughnecks season was the second season for the Houston Roughnecks as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the XFL, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2023 season. The Roughnecks played their home games at the TDECU Stadium and were led by head coach Wade Phillips.
Earning their first playoff berth and clinching first place in the South Division, the Roughnecks were eliminated by the Arlington Renegades in the South Division title game in the playoffs.
This was the last season before the XFL merged with the United States Football League to form United Football League (UFL). As part of the merger agreement leading up to the 2024 season, the XFL's Roughnecks would disband and the USFL's Houston Gamblers would take over the Roughnecks name.
Final roster
Schedule All times Central Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record 1 Saturday February 18 7:30 p.m. ESPN/FX Orlando Guardians 33–12 1–0 TDECU Stadium 12,784 2 Sunday February 26 6:00 p.m. ESPN2 Arlington Renegades 23–14 2–0 TDECU Stadium 11,765 3 Sunday March 5 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 San Antonio Brahmas 22–13 3–0 TDECU Stadium 11,309 4 Saturday March 11 6:00 p.m. FX at Orlando Guardians 44–16 4–0 Camping World Stadium 10,013 5 Thursday March 16 9:30 p.m. ESPN at Seattle Sea Dragons 14–21 4–1 Lumen Field 9,231 6 Monday March 27 6:00 p.m. ESPN2 at DC Defenders 26–37 4–2 Audi Field 12,492 7 Sunday April 2 1:00 p.m. ESPN St. Louis BattleHawks 15–24 4–3 TDECU Stadium 12,013 8 Sunday April 9 2:00 p.m. ABC at San Antonio Brahmas 17–15 5–3 Alamodome 12,243 9 Saturday April 15 11:30 a.m. ABC Vegas Vipers 28–21 6–3 TDECU Stadium 10,967 10 Sunday April 23 2:00 p.m. ESPN at Arlington Renegades 25–9 7–3 Choctaw Stadium 12,821
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Orlando Guardians
Week 2: vs. Arlington Renegades
Week 3: vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Week 4: at Orlando Guardians
Week 5: at Seattle Sea Dragons
Week 6: at DC Defenders
Week 7: vs. St. Louis BattleHawks
Week 8: at San Antonio Brahmas
Week 9: vs. Vegas Vipers
Week 10: at Arlington Renegades
Standings
Postseason Schedule Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record Division Finals Saturday April 29 6:00 p.m. ESPN Arlington Renegades 11–26 0–1 TDECU Stadium 13,558
Game summaries XFL South Division Finals: vs. (2) Arlington Renegades
Staff Houston Roughnecks staffFront office Director of team operations – Danielle Lee Director of player personnel – Marc Lillibridge
Head coach General Manager/Head Coach – Wade Phillips
Offensive Coaches Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – AJ Smith Offensive Line - Andre Gurode Running Backs - John Estes Wide Receivers - Payton Pardee Offensive Quality Control - Marvin Williams Defensive Coaches Defensive coordinator – Brian Stewart Linebackers - A.J. Reisig Defensive Line - Bill Johnson Defensive Backs - Morgan Ford
Special Teams Coaches Special Teams Coordinator - Greg McMahon
Team Operations Athletic Trainer - Joe Resendez Equipment Manager - Jared Mostowsky Video Manager - Brian Martin
References