Reggie Ragland Joins Scott Cochran's Football Staff At UWA

LIVINGSTON, AL — The University of West Alabama football program and head coach Scott Cochran on Wednesday announced the hiring of Reggie Ragland as UWA's director of player personnel.

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The hiring makes Ragland the sixth former Alabama football player and the fourth former NFL player to join Cochran in Livingston.

"Reggie Ragland is a proven leader with a championship mentality, and we couldn't be more excited to have him join the UWA family as our Director of Player Personnel," Cochran said. "As a Super Bowl champion and former SEC Defensive Player of the Year, he knows exactly what it takes to compete and win at the highest levels."

A native of Huntsville, Ragland is set to make his coaching debut after anchoring the Crimson Tide's linebacker room for four years before his six-year NFL career.

Ragland made an immediate impact on the Crimson Tide's 2012 National Championship team, playing in 10 games as a true freshman before breaking into the starting lineup in 2014.

In his first year as a starter in Tuscaloosa, Ragland recorded 93 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble to lead the Crimson Tide to a SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.

In 2015, Ragland was named a First Team All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

After his career at Alabama, Ragland was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Over his six-year NFL career, Ragland played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

During his stint with the Chiefs, where he started at the inside linebacker for three years, Ragland recorded 160 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, before ending his career in 2022 with a total of 293 tackles and 16 tackles for loss.

"Reggie's experience, passion for the game, and ability to connect with young athletes will be instrumental in recruiting top talent to our program," Cochran said. "We know he will make an immediate impact in shaping the future of UWA Football."

Ragland, along with former Alabama quarterback Blake Sims and former Tide tight end O.J. Howard are set to begin their coaching tenures at UWA on April 1.

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