University of South Alabama Men's Football

Todd Orland was hired as South Alabama's defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach ahead of the 2026 season. Orlando, who most recently served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at South Florida, has been a defensive coordinator at the FBS level since 2005. Orlando has orchestrated elite defenses at blue blood programs like Texas and USC, and worked with Major Applewhite at Houston for two seasons when the duo served as the coordinators on their respective sides of the ball.   In his first season with USF, Orlando helped the Bulls finish 12th nationally in defensive takeaways with 24. They turned four of those takeaways into defensive touchdowns, which was eighth-best in the country. The Bulls also ranked seventh with 7.5 tackles for loss per game. Orlando helped the Bulls improve on that number in season two when they averaged 7.9 tackles for loss per game, good for sixth in the country. USF was again a top-25 defense in takeaways with 25, good for 13th best in college football. Season three was no different with the Bulls once again producing 25 takeaways in 2025.   An aggressive unit that produces takeaways has been the identity of Orlando-led defenses, and that is what he orchestrated at Florida Atlantic. In 2021, the Owls ranked 25th in the nation by producing 21 turnovers, 28th with 12 interceptions and third with three defensive touchdowns.   Prior to making the cross-country trek to Florida, Orlando served as defensive coordinator at USC during the 2020 college football season. Despite the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Orlando’s defense forced 16 turnovers in just six games. USC’s defense had only produced 16 takeaways the season prior during a full, 13-game schedule. Orlando also developed safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was a consensus All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.    Before his one-year stint with the Trojans, Orlando was defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Texas from 2017-19. Through three seasons, the Longhorns forced a total of 65 turnovers, which was the best in the Big 12 Conference. The 2017 campaign saw Texas rank in the top-10 nationally in rushing defense, third down defense, fourth down defense, defensive touchdowns and interceptions for touchdowns. Orlando turned linebacker Malik Jefferson into the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, while safety DeShon Elliott was a unanimous All-American and Thorpe Award finalist.   In year two at Texas, Orlando’s Longhorns allowed only 131.4 rushing yards per game on the way to a 10-4 season and Sugar Bowl Championship. Defensive end Charles Omenihu earned Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors while safety Caden Sterns was the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.   While on staff with Applewhite in Houston, Orlando’s defense led the nation in takeaways in 2015 with 35 on the season. The Cougars also ranked 20th in scoring defense while holding 12 of 14 opponents under their season scoring average. UH also finished the season with the eighth-best rushing defense in college football. The strong defensive effort led the way to an American Athletic Conference Championship, and an appearance in the Peach Bowl where the Cougars defeated No. 9 Florida State. Houston finished the year at No. 8 in the AP Poll.   In 2016, Houston improved its rushing defense from eighth in the nation to fourth under Orlando’s leadership. The Cougars also finished the year 13th in total defense and 14th in sacks and tackles for loss. Orlando mentored defense tackle Ed Oliver who was a First Team All-American after ranking third in the nation with 23 tackles for loss. The Cougars finished the season 9-4 with wins over No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 3 Louisville.   Orlando spent two seasons at the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Utah State from 2013-14 where he led a pair of top-20 defenses. In 2013, the Aggies ranked in the top-20 nationally in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. The season culminated in a trip to the Poinsettia Bowl. A year later, Utah State finished top-20 nationally in scoring defense, pass efficiency defense, sacks and tackles for loss. At season’s end, linebacker Zach Vigil was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and Utah State played in the New Mexico Bowl.   During his time at Florida International, Orlando helped the Golden Panthers’ defense improve drastically. FIU’s defense improved 51 spots nationally in scoring defense from 2010 and 31 spots in total defense. Orlando coached two All-Sun Belt Conference performers and helped lead the team to the 2011 Beef O’Brady’s Bowl.   The longest coaching stint of Orlando’s career took place at Connecticut where he was on staff for 12 seasons. Orlando’s first-six years at UConn were spent as inside linebackers coach. Then, in 2005, he added defensive coordinator to his title for the next-six seasons. In his first year as UConn’s defensive coordinator, Orlando led the Huskies to finish seventh nationally in total defense. They were in the national Top 20 in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense in 2007 and in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense in 2008. UConn won Big East Championships in 2007 and 2010, and made five bowl appearances during Orlando’s time with the program.   Orlando started his college coaching career at Penn in 1996 and spend three years with the Quakers as inside linebackers coach. He first began coaching in 1994 at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh as defensive coordinator. He then moved to Fox Chapel Area High School for one year before joining the college ranks.   Orlando was a three-year letter winner at Wisconsin as a linebacker. He helped guide the Badgers to the 1993 Big Ten Championship and subsequent Rose Bowl Championship over UCLA. He graduated from Wisconsin with his bachelor’s degree in 1994. He and his wife, Amy, have two daughters, Taylor and Addison   THE TODD ORLANDO FILE   PERSONAL Born: March 24, 1971 Hometown: Pittsburgh, Penn. Education: Wisconsin, 1994 Wife: Amy Children: Taylor and Addison   PLAYING CAREER College: Wisconsin (Linebacker)   COACHING EXPERIENCE 1996-98: Penn (Inside Linebackers) 1999-04: UConn (Inside Linebackers) 2005-10: UConn (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2011-12: FIU (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2013-14: Utah State (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2015-16: Houston (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2017-19: Texas (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2020: USC (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2021-22: Florida Atlantic (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2023-25: South Florida (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers) 2026-present: South Alabama (Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers)  

Tommy Perry joined South Alabama as special teams coordinator in Jan. 2026.   It is Perry’s second stint as a Jaguar as he was South’s special teams coordinator and running backs coach from 2009-12.   Prior to returning to Mobile, Perry was the special teams coordinator at Colorado State for four seasons. In 2025, he mentored punter Bryan Hansen who was named First Team-All Mountain West Conference. Hansen finished third nationally with an average of 47.89, which stands as the third-best single season in CSU history. Punt returner Javion Kinnard was also named to the league’s second team after averaging 23.0 yards per return and taking a punt 91 yards for a touchdown against Hawaii. The Rams went 8-5 during the 2024 season and made an appearance in the Arizona Bowl.   Before his time in Fort Collins, Perry was the special teams coordinator at UTSA for two seasons. In San Antonio, he helped the Roadrunners win the Conference USA Championship in 2021. He also helped placekicker Hunter Duplesis become a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. Perry arrived at UTSA after two seasons as special teams coordinator at Nevada where he helped the Wolfpack make big strides in punting and the return game.   Perry was the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at North Texas for four seasons before he moved to Nevada. In 2014, the Mean Green hit 15-of-17 field goal attempts, which set a school record for field goal percentage. North Texas’ kickoff return defense was also fifth in the nation that season. North Texas led the nation with eight blocked kicks in 2013, which was Perry’s first year on staff. Of those eight blocked kicks, five were on blocked punts. Three of those five blocked punts resulted in touchdowns for UNT.   Perry was on the inaugural coaching staff at South Alabama in 2009, and remained with the Jags through 2012. In 2012, South Alabama's first season as a full-member FBS team, Kicker Michel Chapuseaux set the school record for scoring with 84 points.   Perry cut his teeth in coaching at Alabama, working as a graduate assistant under both Mike Shula and Nick Saban. Perry helped coach special teams for the Crimson Tide. Before his time in Tuscaloosa, Perry worked as a special teams assistant and head strength coach for NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals in 2006. His career started in 2004 as a strength and conditioning coach at Texas. The following season, he coached special teams and running backs at Texas A&M Commerce.   Perry, a Monroe, La. native, received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in 2003 and went on to earn a masters degree from Texas A&M Commerce in 2005. He and his wife, Roberta, have two children, Joanna and Jude.   THE TOMMY PERRY FILE   PERSONAL Born: Aug. 29, 1980 Hometown: Monroe, La. Education: Texas A&M, 2003 (Bachelor’s) & Texas A&M Commerce, 2005 (Masters) Wife: Roberta Children: Joanna and Jude   PLAYING CAREER College: Tyler Junior College & Texas A&M (Linebacker, Defensive End & Fullback)   COACHING CAREER 2004: Texas (Assistant Strength & Conditioning) 2005: Texas A&M Commerce (Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs) 2006: Amsterdam Admirals (Special Teams) 2006-08: Alabama (Graduate Assistant) 2009-12: South Alabama (Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs) 2013-16: North Texas (Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs) 2017-19: Nevada (Special Teams Coordinator) 2020-21: UTSA (Special Teams Coordinator) 2022-25: Colorado State (Special Teams Coordinator) 2026-present: South Alabama (Special Teams Coordinator)

Tim Rattay was hired to serve as the South Alabama's passing game coordinator and receivers coach ahead of the 2026 season.   Rattay joined the Jaguars after a one-year stint at LSU as an offensive analyst for the Tigers.   At LSU, Rattay helped mentor a receiver room that produced four invites to the 2026 NFL Combine in Aaron Anderson, Barion Brown, Chris Hilton and Zavion Thomas. Brown led the Tigers in receiving yards in 2025 with 532. With Rattay helping lead the way, LSU finished the season with an appearance in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl.   Prior to his lone season at LSU, Rattay was the quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma State for five seasons. In 2023, Rattay coached Alan Bowman to the seventh-highest single-season passing yards total in school history (3,460). Bowman finished the year ranked No. 15 among FBS quarterbacks in passing yards. He also finished No. 7 in the nation and No. 4 in school history with 304 completions on the year.   In 2022, Rattay managed a quarterback battle that extended into the season before handing the reins to Spencer Sanders, who ended up starting nine games. Sanders led the Big 12 and ranked No. 14 among all FBS players with 303.3 yards of total offense per game. He also led the conference and was 25th in the FBS with 264.2 passing yards per game.   In 2021, Rattay coached Sanders on his way to becoming the second player in school history to earn first team all-conference honors at quarterback. Sanders earned the honor after finishing the year ranked No. 1 in the league with 269.8 yards of total offense per game. Under Rattay’s guidance, Sanders capped the season as the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP after finishing the game with 371 passing yards and four touchdowns to go with 125 rushing yards on 17 carries. Sanders joined Tajh Boyd as the only FBS players to record 350 pass yards, 100 rush yards and four touchdowns in a bowl game, and his performance was a critical piece of engineering the largest come-from-behind win in Fiesta Bowl history.   During his first season in Stillwater in 2020, Rattay coached Sanders to honorable mention All-Big 12 honors and Cheez-It Bowl MVP honors. Sanders finished the season ranked second in the Big 12 with 8.13 yards per pass attempt and third in the conference with a passing efficiency of 143.2.   Before returning to the college ranks at Oklahoma State, Rattay coached quarterbacks for the then Washington Redskins in 2019. That season, Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins Jr. combined to throw for over 3,000 yards.   Rattay got his start in college coaching at his alma mater, Louisiana Tech when he was hired as the team’s receivers coach in 2013. He coached receivers for three seasons before moving over to quarterbacks in 2016, where he spent an additional three years with the Bulldogs. During his six seasons in Ruston, Louisiana Tech won two division titles and went 5-0 in bowl games.   In 2016, Rattay mentored quarterback Ryan Higgins, who finished the season with 329 completions for 4,617 yards and 41 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Higgins was honored as the Conference USA Most Valuable Player that season. Rattay then helped develop quarterback J’Mar Smith, who went on to become the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.   Rattay earned his first coaching position in 2011 with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. In his two seasons there, the Locomotives went 7-1 with their only loss coming in the 2011 UFL championship game.   After starting his collegiate playing career as a quarterback at Scottsdale Community College, Rattay transferred to Louisiana Tech where he passed for 12,746 yards and 115 touchdowns in three seasons. To this day, Rattay remains LA Tech’s single-season and career leader in passing touchdowns. He passed for 4,943 passing yards in 1998 and his 411.9 passing yards per game that season stands as the ninth-best single-season mark in FBS history. He was enshrined into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.   After a successful career in college, Rattay was selected in the seventh round (212th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and spent six seasons with the team. His NFL career included stops in Tampa Bay in 2006, Tennessee in 2007 and Arizona in 2007. Rattay appeared in 40 games in his career with 18 starts and finished 432-of-714 passing for 4,853 yards with 31 touchdowns.   A Phoenix, Ariz. native, Rattay graduated in 2001 with a degree in general studies and is married to his wife, Allison. The couple has three children, Riley, Taylor and Sloane.   THE TIM RATTAY FILE   PERSONAL Born: March 15, 1977 Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz. Education: Louisiana Tech, 2001 Wife: Allison Children: Riley, Taylor and Sloane   PLAYING CAREER College: Scottsdale Community College & Louisiana Tech (Quarterback) Professional: San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals & Las Vegas Locomotives (Quarterback)   COACHING EXPERIENCE 2011-12: Las Vegas Locomotives (Receivers) 2013-15: Louisiana Tech (Receivers) 2016-18: Louisiana Tech (Quarterbacks) 2019: Washington Redskins (Quarterbacks) 2020-2024: Oklahoma State (Quarterbacks) 2025: LSU (Offensive Analyst) 2026-present: South Alabama (Receivers)  

Tre’ Williams joined the South Alabama coaching staff before the 2023 season as the program’s special teams coordinator. In Feb. of 2024, he added outside linebackers coach to his title. In 2025, Williams oversaw the development of linebacker Tirrell Johnson, who transferred to South after winning a national championship at the Division II level. Johnson finished the year with 54 total tackles including five tackles for loss and a sack. Johnson also intercepted a pass and forced two fumbles. His efforts resulted in being named All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention to end the year. The 2024 season resulted in the program’s second-straight bowl championship when South Alabama defeated Western Michigan in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl. Williams mentored kicker Laith Marjan who made 16-of-17 field goal attempts in 2024 with a long of 49 yards. Marjan also knocked through 42 extra points during the season and handled South Alabama’s kickoff duties. For his efforts, Marjan was a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist and received All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team honors. In his first season on the defensive side of the ball, Williams coached the linebacker duo of Courtney McBride Jr. and Aakil Washington, who each finished the year with 39 tackles. McBride led the team in tackles for loss and sacks in 2024 with 10.5 and 5.0, respectively. Williams joined South Alabama after a one-year stint as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Arkansas-Monticello. Prior to his stop at Arkansas-Monticello, Williams spent time at Central Florida as a graduate assistant working with the linebackers. He managed game day preparation under the direction of the defensive coordinator and led linebacker meetings. Prior to his time at UCF, Williams began his coaching career at Thompson High School as the linebackers coach in 2020. During his time at Central Florida, he helped recruit the top class in program history and coached a second team PFF and All-AAC linebacker. While at Thompson, helped the team finish undefeated and win the AHSAA Class 7A state championship. Following the conclusion of collegiate career, Williams worked with the recruiting personnel at Auburn where he supervised a team of recruiters and ensured a cohesive work environment and worked with data analytics with over 200 student-athletes. A decorated high school and collegiate player, Williams played professionally for the XFL Wildcats in Los Angeles (Calif.) where he was the starting middle linebacker. Williams was named a team captain and was a second team All-SEC selection at linebacker at Auburn during his playing career. During his four-year career, Williams totaled 188 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Auburn in 2017.  

Adam Mann joined South Alabama as a graduate assistant ahead of the 2023 season. He worked his way up to defensive quality control coach in 2025, and was promoted to tight ends coach in 2026.   After starting his time with South Alabama on the offensive side of the ball, Mann was promoted to serve as a defensive analyst ahead of the 2025 campaign. The Jaguars finished fifth in total defense in the Sun Belt Conference that year, including finishing fourth in the league in passing defense. Cornerback Nehemiah Chandler earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors, while linebacker Blayne Myrick earned a spot on the league’s second team. Linebacker Darius McKenzie and safety Christopher Wallace Jr. also earned honorable mention status.   Mann helped the Jaguars win back-to-back bowl games for the first time in program history while working with the offensive line as a graduate assistant in 2023 and 2024. The Jaguars defeated Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl in 2023 for the first bowl championship in program history. The next year, South took down Western Michigan in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.   In 2024, Mann helped mentor Jordan Davis who was a Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection as season’s end. Offensive lineman Reed Buys also received All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention honors. In 2023, Reggie Smith also received honorable mention recognition from the Sun Belt Conference.   Prior to joining the Jaguars, Mann was the offensive line coach at Huntingdon College in Montgomery during the 2022 season when he helped the Hawks to a four-peat USA South Conference Championship. He originally joined the Hawks’ staff as running backs coach in 2019 and led a dynamic backfield for three seasons.   In both the spring season and the fall of 2021, the Hawks backfield was spearheaded by two-time All-Conference H-Back Zack Self as well as all-conference selection Kahari McReynolds. Both were integral parts in securing the Hawks sixth conference title in seven years.     In 2019, the backfield was led by third-team all-region and first-team all-conference running back Eric Thomas. The 2019 backfield led the USA South in rushing with 2,397 yards and helped Huntingdon put together an 8-4 record and advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.   A 2019 Huntingdon graduate, Mann was part of Huntingdon's first four USA South Athletic Conference championships. As a four-year player on the offensive line, Mann helped the Hawks win conference titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Before beginning his coaching career, Mann was a two-time All-Conference performer, a four-time Academic All-Conference pick, a NFF Hampshire Honor Society selection and a team captain for the Hawks.   Mann and his wife, Katie, have one daughter, Amelia.   THE ADAM MANN FILE   PERSONAL Born: Sept. 21, 1996 Hometown: Owens Cross Roads, Ala. Education: Huntingdon, 2019 Wife: Katie Children: Amelia   PLAYING CAREER College: Huntingdon (Offensive Line)   COACHING CAREER 2019-21: Huntingdon (Running Backs) 2022: Huntingdon (Offensive Line) 2023-24: South Alabama (Graduate Assistant) 2025: South Alabama (Defensive Quality Control) 2026-present: South Alabama (Tight Ends)  

Bryant Ross was hired as South Alabama's offensive line coach in Jan. 2026. Ross joined the Jaguars after a one-year stint as the offensive line coach at Georgia State. South Alabama will be Ross’ third stop at a Sun Belt Conference school in three years. Prior to joining Georgia State, Ross was the offensive line coach at Louisiana from 2022-24. The Ragin’ Cajuns appeared in three-straight bowl games during that time and went 10-4 in 2024 with an appearance in the Sun Belt Conference Championship. During the 2022 campaign, Ross’ offensive line unit ranked as the conference’s second-best run blocking unit in the league. He turned Max Mitchell and Nathan Thomas into NFL Draft picks with Mitchell being selected in the fourth round by the New York Jets in 2022 and Nathan Thomas being picked in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.   During the 2021 season, Ross was the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Grambling State. The offensive line saw drastic improvement under Ross’ leadership, cutting its sack total in half from 30 to 15 from the previous season. The head coach at Grambling that season was current South Alabama running backs coach, Broderick Fobbs.   Before his year at Grambling, Ross was on staff for his first stint at Louisiana from 2018-20. The Cajuns recorded double-digit wins in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020 with back-to-back bowl wins. Louisiana climbed as high as No. 15 in the AP poll in 2020. During the 2019 season, Louisiana set numerous program records, including total offense (6,918), total touchdowns (69), most rushing yards (3,604), most rushing touchdowns (42) and most passing touchdowns (27), among others.    Ross was instrumental in developing Robert Hunt and Kevin Dotson into NFL draft picks during his time with the Ragin’ Cajuns. Hunt became the third-highest draft pick in team history when he was selected 39th overall by the Miami Dolphins, while Dotson, who was named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Focus and a Second Team All-American by Sporting News, was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 135th pick.   Ross’ first opportunity at the Division I level was at Mississippi State where he was a graduate assistant on the offensive line. In 2017, his unit helped improve the Bulldog rushing attack from 23rd nationally (2,900 yards) in 2016 to 11th nationally (3,300 yards) in 2017. Ross once again coached multiple NFL draft picks at Mississippi State in Elgton Jenkins, a second-round pick by Green Bay Packers, Tyree Phillips, a third-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens and Martinas Rankin, a third-round pick by the Houston Texans.   Prior to his time at Mississippi State, Ross was the offensive line coach and run game coordinator at Central State University from 2014-16. In his first season, the Marauders gave up just 11 sacks, which was the second least among all SIAC schools and ranked 36th best in all of Division II. The offensive line paved the way for the conference's third-best rushing attack, averaging 183 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry.   Ross started his career as the offensive line coach at West Hills College. There, he helped the team improve its win total from two to 10, and win the Northern California Conference Championship. West Hills also earned its first bowl win since 1982.   An Atlanta native, Ross started his collegiate playing career at West Hills Community College before transferring to Alabama A&M and finishing his career as an offensive lineman. Ross and his wife, Brittany, have one daughter named Brooklynn and a son, Deuce.   THE BRYANT ROSS FILE   PERSONAL Born: April 19, 1988 Hometown: Atlanta Education: Alabama A&M, 2012 Wife: Brittany Children: Brooklynn & Deuce   PLAYING CAREER College: West Hills CC (Offensive Line) & Alabama A&M (Offensive Line)   COACHING EXPERIENCE 2013: West Hill Community College (Offensive Line) 2014-16: Central State (Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator) 2017: Mississippi State (Graduate Assistant) 2018-20: Louisiana (Offensive Line) 2021: Grambling State (Offensive Line) 2022-24: Louisiana (Offensive Line) 2025: Georgia State (Offensive Line) 2026-present: South Alabama (Offensive Line)  

Chris Achuff joined South Alabama as defensive line coach in Jan. 2026.   A veteran coach with experience in the National Football League, Achuff most recently worked for the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator.   Prior to coaching with the Brahmas, Achuff was on staff at Syracuse for four seasons. He joined the Orange as the linebackers coach in 2020, then moved over to defensive line ahead of the 2022 season. In his final two seasons at Syracuse, the Orange appeared in back-to-back bowl games. In 2022, he helped ‘Cuse finish 21st nationally in total defense and third in the ACC. In 2021, he developed linebacker Mikel Jones into a First Team All-ACC performer after finishing second in the league in tackles. Achuff also helped Stefon Thompson earn Freshman All-America honors in 2020.   Before his time in New York, Achuff spent two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. He was the assistant defensive line coach in 2018 before being promoted to defensive line coach in 2019. In Arizona, Achuff was instrumental in the development of all-pro player Chandler Jones. In 2018, Jones had a team-best 13 sacks as the Cardinals tied for fifth in the league with 49 sacks overall. Jones was even better in 2019. He finished second in the NFL with 19 sacks and tied for the league lead with eight forced fumbles to earn All-Pro First Team honors and his third Pro Bowl invitation. Combined with his 11 sacks in 2016 and 17 sacks in 2017, Jones became the first player in franchise history to record 10+ sacks in four consecutive seasons.   Achuff spent one season at Navarro Junior College in 2017 between stops at Baylor and the Cardinals. Baylor was Achuff’s longest career stop as he served as defensive line coach from 2008-16. During Achuff’s tenure at Baylor, the Bears won back-to-back Big 12 Conference championships in 2012 and 2013, and he coached three All-Americans, 12 all-conference selections and two bowl game MVPs. Defensive tackle Phil Taylor was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2011. Defensive tackle Andrew Billings was the 2015 Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year, while also being named an All-American. Billings was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.    Before his time at Baylor, Achuff spent four seasons in the FCS ranks. He coached at Chattanooga in 2004, Charleston Southern in 2005 and then arrived at UT Martin in 2006, where he spent two seasons. At UT Martin, he helped the Skyhawks win the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and advance to the FCS Playoffs. He also helped Charleston Southern win a conference championship while also achieving the first winning record in program history.   Achuff started his coaching career as a student assistant at his alma mater, Bloomsburg University in 1998. In 1999 he worked as outside linebackers coach and strength and conditioning coach at Bryant College. He then moved to Kutztown university in 2000, and held the same title for two seasons. Achuff then spent two seasons at Penn State as a graduate assistant.   A native of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Achuff played linebacker at Bloomsburg where he was a part of four PSAC championship teams. He has one daughter, Julia, and two sons, Carter and Tyler.   THE CHRIS ACHUFF FILE Born: Sept. 18, 1975 Hometown: Bellefonte, Penn. Education: Bloomsburg, 1998 Children: Julia, Carter and Tyler   PLAYING CAREER College: Bloomsburg (Linebacker)   COACHING CAREER 1998: Bloomsburg (Student Assistant) 1999: Bryant College (Outside Linebackers/Strength & Conditioning) 2000-01: Kutztown (Linebackers/Strength & Conditioning) 2022-03: Penn State (Graduate Assistant) 2004: Chattanooga (Defensive Line) 2005: Charleston Southern (Defensive Line) 2006-07: UT Martin (Defensive Line) 2008-16: Baylor (Defensive Line) 2017: Navarro Junior College (Defensive Line) 2018: Arizona Cardinals (Assistant Defensive Line) 2019: Arizona Cardinals (Defensive Line) 2020-21: Syracuse (Linebackers) 2022-23: Syracuse (Defensive Line) 2024-25: San Antonio Brahmas (Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator) 2026-present: South Alabama (Defensive Line)  

Tyson Kee was hired as the safeties coach at South Alabama in Jan. 2026.   Kee made his way to Mobile by way of Valdosta State where he was the defensive backs coach in 2025.   Kee helped the Blazers to a record of 6-5 on the season. Valdosta picked off 11 passes throughout the course of the season, five of which came from defensive back Rance Conner who was named Second Team All-America. Conner finished the season with 47 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, five interceptions, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.   Prior to his year with Valdosta State, Kee was an assistant defensive backs coach at South Florida with new South Alabama defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. Kee helped guide the Bulls to back-to-back bowl victories in the Boca Raton Bowl in 2023 and the Hawaii Bowl in 2024.   Before his time at USF, Kee was a graduate assistant at Tennessee for two years where he worked with the safeties. In 2022, he helped guide the Volunteers to an 11-2 season that was topped by a victory over Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl. The Vols defeated six ranked opponents that season, including a thrilling, 52-49 win against No. 3 Alabama as time expired. In 2021, Kee helped Tennessee go 7-6 with an appearance in the Music City Bowl. Tennessee hosted South Alabama that season on Nov. 20.   Kee started his coaching career at UCF as a graduate assistant working with the defensive backs. In his first season with the Knights, they went 10-3 were ranked as high as No. 15 in the AP Poll. The season concluded with a victory in the Gasparilla Bowl. In 2020, he helped UCF climb to No. 11 in the polls before ending the year with an appearance in the Boca Raton Bowl.   Kee played his college football at Southeastern University in Florida. He graduated from Southeastern with his bachelor’s degree in 2018.   THE TYSON KEE FILE   PERSONAL Born: July 28, 1996 Hometown: Pace, Fla. Education: Southeastern, 2018 Wife: Jenycha   PLAYING CAREER College: Southeastern (Defensive Back)   COACHING CAREER 2019-20: UCF (Graduate Assistant) 2021-22: Tennessee (Graduate Assistant) 2023-24: South Florida (Assistant Defensive Backs) 2025: Valdosta State (Defensive Backs) 2026-present: South Alabama (Safeties)  

JT May joined South Alabama as the Assistant Athletic Director, Football Chief of Staff in January 2025. Prior to coming to Mobile, May spent four seasons at Utah State in various roles within the program. He arrived in 2020 and worked with the team's quarterbacks in a quality control role before serving as an offensive recruiting analyst in 2021. After a break in 2022 when he was the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Mica Mountain High School in Arizona, he returned to Utah State as the director of internal operations for two seasons.   In 2023, May helped Utah State to six wins and its third-straight bowl game as it played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Overall, it was USU's 11th bowl game in the last 13 seasons. In 2021, May helped the Aggies to their best season in school history as they tied the school record with 11 wins, won their first-ever Mountain West Conference Championship with a 46-13 victory at No. 19 San Diego State, posted a 24-13 win against Oregon State in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl and finished the season ranked 24th in the nation.   May's time with the Aggies started after he spent four years coaching at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore. During his tenure at Pacific, May coached defensive line, receivers, tight ends and coordinated special teams. He coached seven players to all-Northwest Conference recognition, and helped coach an offense that ranked seventh nationally in third down conversion percentage and a defense that finished 20th nationally in sacks.   May started his football coaching career in Arizona at his alma mater, Buena Vista High School. Before that, he played two seasons at Pacific University before transferring to Arizona, where he earned his bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology with a minor in pre-law. He later earned a master's degree in secondary education from Arizona.

Rod Grace, a strength and conditioning coach with ties to the states of Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, the American Athletic Conference, the Big 12, the Atlantic Coastal Conference, and the Ohio Valley Conference, enters his second year as Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of South Alabama. Before arriving at the University of South Alabama, Coach Grace worked at the University of Louisville, Allen High School, the University of Texas, the University of Houston, the University of South Florida, Iowa State, Tennessee State, and Georgia Tech. In his years as a coach at the collegiate level, Coach Grace has worked with over 30 players who went on to the NFL, including 2017 draft picks LB Tyus Bowser (Ravens), DB Howard Wilson (Browns), and DB Brandon Wilson (Bengals). Six Cougars made rosters as part of the 2016 NFL Draft class. CB William Jackson, III (Bengals), LB Elandon Roberts (Patriots), and WR Demarcus Ayers (Steelers) were all drafted, while RB Kenneth Farrow (Chargers), DS Nolan Frese (Seahawks), and S Adrian McDonald (Chargers) signed as free agents. After being promoted to director at Houston, Coach Grace continued the development of the 2018 Outland Trophy Award winner and the 2019 9th overall draft pick, DT Ed Oliver (Bills), along with draft picks CB Isaiah Johnson (Raiders), LB Emeke Egbule (Chargers) and CB Alex Myres (Steelers). In the 2018 draft, Coach Grace mentored draft pick LB Matthew Adams (Colts), as well as WR Steve Dunbar (49ers), LB D’Juan Hines (Browns), S Terrell Williams (49ers), and QB Kyle Allen (Panthers) all signed as free agents. Coach Grace has worked under successful and innovative coaches, including Jeff Brohm, Chad Morris, Major Applewhite, Tom Herman, Willie Taggart, Paul Rhoads, Paul Johnson, and Rod Reed. Along with coaching and developing NFL draft picks, Coach Grace is a member of various social and scholarly organizations, such as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. While completing his master’s degree in exercise science, Coach Grace had two different studies published in peer-reviewed journals: Effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement on selective attention, processing speed, fluid loss, and gait during and following strenuous exercise. (2011) and Changes in Body Mass and Absolute and Relative Bench Press, Squat and Leg Press Strength in NCAA Division I Football players (2012). Coach Grace is pursuing a doctorate in exercise science from Liberty University. A native of Jackson, MS, Coach Grace was a Division I All-Conference player on the defensive line at the University of Tennessee at Martin, earning his degree in 2009. Grace is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), a certified strength and conditioning coach (SCCC), and a USA Weightlifting Level I certified coach. Coach Grace is married to Torey Grace, and they have one daughter, Aspen Grace.