The 2023 Orlando Guardians season was the second season for the Orlando Guardians 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 Guardians played their home games at the Camping World Stadium and were led by head coach Terrell Buckley.
The franchise also relocated from East Rutherford, New Jersey to Orlando, Florida prior to the season, changing their name from New York Guardians to Orlando Guardians.
On January 1, 2024, it was announced that the 2023 season was the last season for the Guardians.
Roster changes On March 3, 2023, the Guardians released quarterback Quinten Dormady after he allegedly gave the San Antonio Brahmas plays from the Guardians' playbook prior to the two teams' week 2 matchup. He was reinstated a day later, on March 4, 2023, when the league released a statement saying they would be investigating into the situation. He was subsequently placed on the team's reserve list. After undergoing a third party investigation, it was found that there was no substantial proof behind the allegations, and Dormandy was added back to the active roster.
Final roster
Schedule All times Eastern Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record 1 Saturday February 18 8:30 p.m. ESPN/FX at Houston Roughnecks 12–33 0–1 TDECU Stadium 12,784 2 Sunday February 26 4:00 p.m. ESPN San Antonio Brahmas 12–30 0–2 Camping World Stadium 12,011 3 Sunday March 5 4:00 p.m. FX at Arlington Renegades 9–10 0–3 Choctaw Stadium 12,006 4 Saturday March 11 7:00 p.m. FX Houston Roughnecks 16–44 0–4 Camping World Stadium 10,013 5 Saturday March 18 10:00 p.m. FX at Vegas Vipers 32–35 0–5 Cashman Field 6,008 6 Saturday March 25 1:00 p.m. ABC Seattle Sea Dragons 19–26 0–6 Camping World Stadium 7,832 7 Saturday April 1 6:00 p.m. ESPN DC Defenders 37–36 1–6 Camping World Stadium 7,011 8 Saturday April 8 4:00 p.m. ESPN Arlington Renegades 16–18 1–7 Camping World Stadium 7,789 9 Saturday April 15 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 at San Antonio Brahmas 23–25 1–8 Alamodome 13,023 10 Saturday April 22 12:00 p.m. ESPN at St. Louis BattleHawks 28–53 1–9 The Dome at America's Center 33,034
Game summaries Week 1: at Houston Roughnecks
Week 2: vs. San Antonio Brahmas
Week 3: at Arlington Renegades
Week 4: vs. Houston Roughnecks
Week 5: at Vegas Vipers
Week 6: vs. Seattle Sea Dragons
Week 7: vs. DC Defenders
This was the Guardians only win of the season, knocking off the previously undefeated DC Defenders.
Week 8: vs. Arlington Renegades
Week 9: at San Antonio Brahmas
Week 10: at St. Louis BattleHawks
Standings
Staff Orlando Guardians staffFront office Director of team operations – Patrick Austin Director of player personnel – Larry Lee
Head coach General manager/Head coach – Terrell Buckley
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/Running backs – Robert Ford Wide Receivers/Asst. Head Coach/Special Teams – Lamar Thomas Quarterbacks – Shane Matthews Tight Ends – Brett Johnson Offensive Line – Keith Wagner Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/Cornerbacks – Tony Carter Defensive Line/Linebackers – Mark Snyder Defensive Backs – Devin Bush Sr. Safeties – Ronnie Lee
Team operations Quality Control - Chris Stamps Athletic trainer – Rachel Sharpe Equipment manager – Bobby Monica Video manager – Ben Lawson *Defensive Line coach Ty Warren was no longer on the Staff after Week 5. Mark Snyder took over Week 6.
*After week 5, Devin Bush Sr. was added to the coaching stuff as a defensive analyst.
References