Former Alabama assistant Scott Cochran named head football coach at West Alabama

Scott Cochran – Photo from University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama has announced that former Alabama assistant Scott Cochran will be the new head football coach of the UWA Tigers.

Cochran has had a distinguished career as a strength and conditioning coach at LSU and the University of Alabama before becoming special teams coach at Georgia.

At Alabama, he contributed to multiple national championships and SEC titles under head coach Nick Saban.

In addition to his football accomplishments, Cochran’s journey has been marked by personal growth and resilience. He has  emerged from a period of significant personal struggle with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to mentoring young athletes.

Recently, Cochran has dedicated his time to traveling across the country, speaking to athletes and organizations as part of his nonprofit, the American Addiction Recovery Association. His efforts have been focused on promoting mental health, resilience and recovery.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Coach Scott Cochran to the University of West Alabama,” said UWA president Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “His dynamic coaching style, combined with his dedication to fostering both athletic and academic excellence, aligns perfectly with our values. We are confident that he will build on our program’s strong foundation and lead our student-athletes to success on and off the field.”

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the University of West Alabama football program as head coach. UWA has a rich tradition of athletic excellence, and I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes, dedicated staff, and passionate community to continue that legacy. Together, we will strive for greatness and make our supporters proud,” Cochran said.

UWA is coming off a 9-2 season, the best record in college football in Alabama in 2024, which also marked the end of a 10-season chapter as head coach for now Athletic Director Brett Gilliland.

UWA has long been regarded as a force in the Gulf South Conference, producing NFL standouts such as Tyreek Hill, Malcolm Butler and Seth Roberts. The program boasts one national championship, two Alabama Collegiate Conference championships and four Gulf South Conference championships.