LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Football Program and Head Coach Scott Cochran made another addition to their staff on Wednesday as Cochran announced the hiring of Reggie Ragland as UWA's Director of Player Personnel.

Ragland becomes the sixth former University of Alabama Football player and the fourth former NFL player to join Cochran at West Alabama. 

"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," said Head Football Coach Scott Cochran. "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."

Ragland, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, is set to make his coaching debut, after anchoring the Crimson Tide's Linebacker room for four years which led to a six-year NFL career. 

At Alabama, Ragland made an immediate impact on the Crimson Tide's 2012 National Championship team, playing in 10 games as a true freshman. In 2013, the Linebacker served as a rotation piece for Head Coach Nick Saban and Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart, before breaking into the starting lineup in 2014. In his first year as a starter, Ragland recorded 93 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble from his Linebacker position, leading the Crimson Tide to a SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. The Huntsville native builded off his 2014 campaign as he put together a career-year in 2015. Ragland registered 102 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and seven pass deflections, which led to the Linebacker being named a First Team All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.  

After a remarkable career at Alabama that included a pair of National Championships in 2013 and 2016, Ragland was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Over the course of his six-year NFL career, Ragland played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cleveland Browns. The Linebacker's pro career was highlighted by his stint with the Chiefs where he started at the Inside Linebacker position for three years. In his three-year run with the Chiefs, 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.

With his playing career now in the rear view mirror, Ragland is set to begin his coaching career as he assumes the role of Director of Player Personnel for Cochran and West Alabama.

"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 continued. "We know he will make an immediate impact in shaping the future of UWA Football."

Ragland along with Blake Sims and O.J. Howard are set to begin their tenure at UWA on April 1.