LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Football program and Head Coach Scott Cochran announced the hiring of Ronnie Clark as the program's Running Backs coach and Blake Sims as Wide Receivers coach on Thursday.

Clark, a native of Calera, Alabama, becomes UWA's Running Backs coach after playing under Cochran at the University of Alabama nearly a decade ago. 

"Ronnie Clark played Running Back, Linebacker, and maybe even some Safety for us at Alabama," said head coach Scott Cochran. "He played all over the field but what he was really good at was bringing energy and he was always on the Leadership team. He was a coach and a player."

Clark joins Cochran's staff after playing Running back for the University of Alabama from 2014-2018. Throughout his collegiate career, Clark was featured in a Crimson Tide backfield that featured Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, Damien Harris, and Brian Robinson. 

During his time at Alabama, Clark won two National Championships and captured four SEC Championships. 

After his playing career came to a close, Clark dipped into coaching, securing a position at Brookwood High School in Brookwood, Alabama. With a handful of High School coaching experience under his belt, Clark is ready for the collegiate ranks as he's set to become the Running Backs Coach for West Alabama.

"Excited and fired up for Ronnie," Coach Cochran continued. "I know that he will make the Running Backs so much better with attention, details, and playing fast and physical."

As for Sims, he garners his first collegiate coaching position after playing for the University of Alabama from 2010-2014 and coaching high school football for two years. 

"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," coach Cochran commented. "His energy, his enthusiasm to help young men develop is going to be his biggest attribute to this organization."

As a player, Sims won a pair of National Championships in 2012 and 2013 with the Crimson Tide before being named the starting Quarterback in 2014. In 14 starts, Sims recorded 3,487 passing yards and 28 touchdowns in 14 starts, leading to a Second Team All-SEC recognition and a College Football Playoffs appearance.  

After a successful senior season, Sims signed a professional contract with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Throughout his professional career, the newly minted Wide Receivers coach went on to play for seven more years, with stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers included, before retiring in 2022.

Once his time as a player came to a close, Sims jump started his coaching career, becoming the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for Mt. Bethel Christian Academy in 2023 before landing in Livingston to join Coach Cochran's staff as West Alabama's Wide Receivers Coach.

"I'm crazy fired up about Blake coming to join us and help our Wide Receivers achieve greatness," Coach Cochran closed.

Clark is officially on West Alabama's campus while Sims will arrive on April 1.