How the Michigan Arrows are Continuing the Panthers Legacy
On October 3, 2025, tragedy struck when the UFL announced that the Michigan Panthers would no longer be a team for the 2026 season. The fight to #SavethePanthers went unsuccessful, even though thousands of fans signed the petition. After months of wondering if Michigan would ever get a spring football team again, the CoFL announced the Michigan Arrows. The Arrows are hoping to continue the Panthers’ legacy by bringing in some familiar faces.
About the Panthers
The Michigan Panthers were a 1980’s USFL that was revived in 2022. The Panthers were back in 2022, but it did not go as planned. They played in Alabama, in front of only a few hundred people, only a single All-USFL player, and a 2-8 record. General Manager Steve Kazor knew things had to change in 2023, so he got to work.
The Panthers 2023 offseason changed the course of the franchise for years to come. They hired Mike Nolan as their head coach, signed players like Breeland Speaks and Kia Nacua, and found a home stadium in Ford Field. The 2023 Panthers would make the playoffs but lost in OT to the Pittsburgh Maulers, one game away from the championship.
The Michigan Panthers were chosen as one of the inaugural UFL teams in 2024. The Panthers’ dominance continued in the UFL as they went 14-9 in 2 seasons, were awarded the 2024 Coach of the Year (Mike Nolan), 2024 DPOY (Breeland Speaks), 2025 UFL MVP (Bryce Perkins), and made the 2025 UFL Championship.
The Michigan Panthers will be known as a team that developed and grew. The coaching staff helped make players like Bryce Perkins, Frank Ginda, Toa Taua, and Ryan Nelson household names for Panthers fans. The coaches also helped develop Detroit Lions Kicker Jake Bates and Dallas Cowboys DB Josh Butler live their NFL Dreams. Year after year, the Michigan Panthers were the only team in spring football to grow in attendance every season. Even with the fanbase growing, the UFL decided to move on; all because they did not have a soccer stadium.
The Man Continuing the Legacy
The Michigan Arrows came to fill the hole left by the Panthers leaving, and what better person to lead the team than the man who helped make the Panthers great. The Arrows hired former Panthers General Manager Steve Kazor as their first head coach in franchise history. Steve Kazor was a positional and head coach for multiple teams from 1970-2006 before spending the 16 years for the St Louis/Los Angeles Rams as a scout. The USFL called Coach Kazor if he wanted to build up the Michigan Panthers as their first GM, and he accepted the challenge.
As general manager for the Panthers, Kazor made bold decisions every season that worked out. In 2023, he hired Mike Nolan as the head coach; even though his last coaching job ended in a mid-season firing. Later that season, with the Panthers on the fence of making the playoffs, Kazor made a QB switch late in the season by signing EJ Perry. In 2024, the Panthers retained key players and added talent from the dispersal drafts, including signing a primarily kickoff specialist in Jake Bates. In 2025, he built around 2024 late season addition, Bryce Perkins, to hopefully lead them to the championship game.
All those bold and risky decisions worked out. Mike Nolan became one of the best UFL head coaches, EJ Perry led them to the 2023 playoff, Jake Bates became a Michigan Panthers and Detroit Lions legend, and Bryce Perkins won MVP as they made the championship. Coach Steve Kazor built up the Panthers and will have to do the same with the Arrows.
Panthers to Arrows
Steve Kazor is continuing the Panthers legacy by bringing over some former Panthers albums. These familiar faces who are former Panthers include:
- DE Vantrel McMillan (2022-24)
- DB Kiante Hardin (2023-25)
- S Corrion Ballard (2023-24)
Vantrel McMillan, Kiante Hardin, and Corrion Ballard have all played and started for the Panthers since 2022. These players already know the standard Coach Kazor wants, and that is to win the championship. Coach Kazor is also bringing in former USFL/UFL players from his time in the leagues. This includes:
- LB Terrill Hanks (2022 Stallions, 2023 Defenders + Brahmas, 2024 Showboats)
- DB Obi Melifonwu (2022 Bandits, 2025 Showboats)
Final Thoughts
The Michigan Panthers may be gone, but their legacy continues with the Arrows. Former Panthers GM and Arrows head coach Steve Kazor is building the Arrows by bringing in guys that made the Panthers great. The last time he built a team from scratch in Michigan, things got better every season. The Arrows are hiring and signing former Panthers, but will the dominance continue in the Continental Football League?
Make sure to catch all the Toros action on the field, tickets are now available, including fan-ownership options. Toros’ opening day is on May 30 versus the Texas Syndicate.