On February 3, 2025, the University of West Alabama announced the appointment of Scott Cochran as the new head football coach. Cochran, renowned for his tenure as a strength and conditioning coach at both the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia, brings a wealth of experience to the Tigers’ program.
Cochran’s coaching career began at
Louisiana State University (LSU), where he served as a graduate assistant from 2001 to 2002. He was then promoted to assistant strength and conditioning coach, contributing to LSU’s national championship victory in 2003 under head coach Nick Saban. Following a stint with the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets, Cochran reunited with Saban at Alabama in 2007, serving as the head strength and conditioning coach. During his time with the Crimson Tide, he was instrumental in securing five national championships. In 2020, Cochran joined Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia as the special teams coordinator, where he added two more national titles to his résumé.
Cochran’s appointment follows the resignation of Brett Gilliland, who stepped down as head coach to assume the role of athletic director at West Alabama. Gilliland, a former Tigers quarterback, led the team for a decade, achieving a 71–43 record and a Gulf South Conference championship in 2017.
The University of West Alabama’s decision to hire Cochran reflects a commitment to leveraging his extensive experience in elite football programs to elevate the Tigers’ performance. As Cochran transitions into this head coaching role, the West Alabama community anticipates a new era of success and development for its football program.
