Brahmas interim head coach reflects on emotional highs of thrilling Week 4 upset Payton Pardee is the youngest head coach in professional football history
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Brahmas (1-3) are riding high after their first victory of the 2025 United Football League season.
The Brahmas secured a 24-18 upset over the previously undefeated D.C. Defenders in Week 4.
Calling the plays was interim head coach Payton Pardee, 28, who is the youngest head coach in professional football history.
In a one-on-one video interview, Pardee opened up about the team’s flawless red zone execution, the game-clinching defensive stand, the strategic impact of broadcast access and a special Fiesta medal honoring his mentor, Wade Phillips.
The Brahmas make their highly anticipated home debut of the season on Sunday at 2 p.m. inside the Alamodome against the Houston Roughnecks (1-3).
KSAT 12 will have postgame coverage on the Nightbeat and KSAT Sports Now.
Mary Rominger’s part two interview with Pardee aired Friday during KSAT Sports Now:
Read also Copyright 2025 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Author Mary Rominger headshot
Mary Rominger is KSAT 12 Sports' first full-time female sports anchor and reporter.
She came to San Antonio from Mankato, Minn., where she worked as a weekend sports anchor at KEYC News Now. She has a journalism degree from Iowa State University and grew up in Southern California.
Mary enjoys golfing, sports and finding new spots around town.
'Is there anything you want to say to the families?' 'No, not right now' ▶ 0:23
'Is there anything you want to say to the families?' 'No, not right now'
WATCH:Here's the moment ex-Uvalde CISD police officer Adrian Gonzales was found not guilty by a jury ▶ 0:57
WATCH:Here's the moment ex-Uvalde CISD police officer Adrian Gonzales was found not guilty by a jury
Hoax threat made to Northeast Side school causes fear, panic ▶ 0:54
Hoax threat made to Northeast Side school causes fear, panic
Developer says it wants to work with community to reimagine Lone Star Brewery site ▶ 0:30
Developer says it wants to work with community to reimagine Lone Star Brewery site
CPS Energy urges conservation during peak hours ahead of icy weekend ▶ 1:00
CPS Energy urges conservation during peak hours ahead of icy weekend
Bexar County helps family on verge of eviction after KSAT story ▶ 1:03
Bexar County helps family on verge of eviction after KSAT story
Northwest Side neighbor asks for expedited traffic light installation at ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ ▶ 1:54
Northwest Side neighbor asks for expedited traffic light installation at ‘Dead Man’s Curve’
Closing arguments set to begin in child endangerment trial of ex-Uvalde CISD police officer ▶ 1:10
Closing arguments set to begin in child endangerment trial of ex-Uvalde CISD police officer
Load of bees spilled during crash on I-35 likely headed to California, expert says ▶ 1:01
Load of bees spilled during crash on I-35 likely headed to California, expert says
Texas families can soon access state’s education savings account. Here’s how the process works ▶ 1:23
Texas families can soon access state’s education savings account. Here’s how the process works
San Antonio TikTok user shares ICE whereabouts to ‘help the community’ ▶ 1:03
San Antonio TikTok user shares ICE whereabouts to ‘help the community’
Wemby says NBA needs more bald players ▶ 0:12
Wemby says NBA needs more bald players
‘We’re all united’: Sights and sounds from San Antonio’s 39th annual MLK March ▶ 0:49
‘We’re all united’: Sights and sounds from San Antonio’s 39th annual MLK March
City refills San Antonio River Walk after crews clean out trash ▶ 0:28
City refills San Antonio River Walk after crews clean out trash
Former MLK Commission chair discusses march's cultural significance ▶ 0:43
Former MLK Commission chair discusses march's cultural significance
Sights and Sounds from MLK March 2026: NEMI House of Glory previews performance ▶ 0:28
Sights and Sounds from MLK March 2026: NEMI House of Glory previews performance
First-time MLK March attendee shares atmosphere experience, reason for attending ▶ 0:57
First-time MLK March attendee shares atmosphere experience, reason for attending
County expedites financial assistance for family at risk of eviction after KSAT report, judge says ▶ 1:23
County expedites financial assistance for family at risk of eviction after KSAT report, judge says
3 undocumented immigrants detained after chase; 1 at large in human smuggling operation, BCSO says ▶ 0:39
3 undocumented immigrants detained after chase; 1 at large in human smuggling operation, BCSO says
3D animation traces Robb gunman’s approximate steps ▶ 1:28
3D animation traces Robb gunman’s approximate steps
Restaurant Weeks officially returns to San Antonio ▶ 1:01
Restaurant Weeks officially returns to San Antonio
🐝 Big rig spills load of bees on highway 🐝 ▶ 0:44
🐝 Big rig spills load of bees on highway 🐝
🏗️ NO LAND BRIDGE?🚧 ▶ 0:35
🏗️ NO LAND BRIDGE?🚧
San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus announces retirement ▶ 1:42
San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus announces retirement
KSAT INVESTIGATES- Drones to stop school shootings ▶ 1:40
KSAT INVESTIGATES- Drones to stop school shootings
Previous photo Next photo