Houston Roughnecks change general manager for 2025 season

The Houston Roughnecks had a rough 2024, finishing with the worst record in the UFL at 1-9. They wasted no time in making quick changes to the front office.

James Larsen of Pro Football Newsroom reported Friday that the team has parted ways with general manager Lionel Vital and replaced him with Will Lewis.

This is a return to Houston for Lewis, who worked for the Roughnecks in the XFL in 2020 as assistant director of player personnel under then-general manager Randy Mueller. Lewis also worked with the San Antonio Brahmas last season as director of player personnel under head coach Hines Ward. He spent time in the AAF in 2019 with the Memphis Express as general manager, signing former Texas A&M and Cleveland Browns first-round quarterback Johnny Manziel.

Houston has had three general managers under the Gamblers brand since 2022. Robert Morris held the title in 2022 before Vital was hired by head coach CJ Johnson when former head coach Kevin Sumlin left for college football. The Gamblers/Roughnecks went 6-14 in two seasons under Johnson-Vital.

More changes could be coming soon to the coaching and management staff. Due to the league’s seasonal structure, UFL head coaches’ contracts expired June 30 and will not be renewed until January 1, 2025.

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