Former Alabama Crimson Tide strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran – who has a lengthy background working under both Nick Saban and Kirby Smart – made major headlines earlier this winter when the University of West Alabama announced him as their head coach.
Cochran gave Alabama fans another reason to root for his success on Thursday with the hiring of two of his old players, including former Alabama starting quarterback Blake Sims, to his staff.
Sims, who started 14 games for the Tide back in 2014, has been hired as the team’s wide receivers coach.
“Blake Sims, as everyone knows, was an electric player for us at Alabama, but what he brought off the field is why he’s perfect for this Wide Receiver position,” Cochran said of the former standout in a statement talking about the hire. “His energy, his enthusiasm to help young men develop is going to be his biggest attribute to this organization.”
In 2014, Sims threw for nearly 3,500 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with another seven scores on the ground, leading Alabama to another SEC title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff where they were defeated by eventual national champion Ohio State.
Sims was not the only former player Cochran hired either, bringing in Crimson Tide running back from 2015-2018 as the team’s running backs coach, Ronnie Clark.
“Excited and fired up for Ronnie,” he said. “I know that he will make the Running Backs so much better with attention, details, and playing fast and physical.”
Clark scored one touchdown in his Alabama career in 40 rushing attempts, but now he gets the chance to dip his toe into the coaching world and take the next step in his football journey while being reunited with Cochran.
