Photo by Shawn Lanzillo – UltiPhotos.com
FEBRUARY 3, 2026
The DC Breeze today announced that Xavier Maxstadt has been named head coach prior to the 2026 season. After a successful playing career, including Team USA U23 Open in 2015 and multiple seasons in the Ultimate Frisbee Association, including 2018-2019 with the Breeze, Maxstadt has served as an assistant coach under Breeze head coaches Darryl Stanley in 2023 and most recently, Lauren Boyle in 2024-2025. Maxstadt will have his first opportunity as head signal caller for one of the UFA’s most successful franchises in 2026.
“Xavier has given so much to the Breeze organization over the past eight years,” General Manager Sean Banks said. “We couldn’t be happier to have him step into the head coach role and lead us through another successful UFA season.”
Maxstadt brings a fresh vision but also years of familiarity with the Breeze and greater DC ultimate community, representing both an opportunity for new ideas and a continuity of leadership.
In 2025, the DC Breeze claimed ownership of the longest active streak of qualifying for the postseason, one year removed from their first-ever Championship Weekend appearance in 2024, where they fell agonizingly short in the semifinals. Breeze leadership will look to Maxstadt to steer the team not only back to the playoffs through a grueling East Division and interdivisional schedule, but back to Championship Weekend to bring a UFA title to Washington, DC.
“I’m excited to coach this team full of incredible players,” Maxstadt said. “This is my 9th year with the Breeze, and I’m honored to work with teammates I’ve played with and the newer generation of players I’ve grown with. I’m going to push the Breeze to compete and win, while enjoying the game and the experience.”
The 2026 preseason is fully underway, and Maxstadt and returning Breeze players will be conducting open tryouts to make the 2026 roster in just over two weeks. Tryouts will be held at The Fields at RFK on February 14 with successive rounds scheduled for February 15, 21, and 22; registration is live now at watchufa.com/breeze/2026-tryouts.
The Breeze return to game action in late April. The UFA regular season runs through the end of July with playoffs beginning immediately following the conclusion of the regular season, and Championship Weekend will once again take place at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, Wisconsin on August 28-29, 2026. The full schedule will be released in the coming weeks. Season tickets for the 2026 Breeze season are available at thedcbreeze.com/tickets.
