University of West Alabama Men's Football

Gilliland came home on Dec. 9, 2013 to be named the 21 st head football coach at his alma mater. Now entering his third season as the Tigers head coach, Gilliland returned to West Alabama from Kennesaw State, where he was coaching quarterbacks. Previous coaching stops include Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern. Gilliland led the Tigers to a 5-6 record in 2014, his first year back at his alma mater and his first season as a collegiate head coach. He followed the initital campaign with a 7-4 record in year two. Following his playing days at UWA, Gilliland began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech before moving on to the offensive staff Georgia Southern. While at Georgia Tech, Gilliland was a part of three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Coastal Division Championships (2006, 2008 and 2009). In 2007, Gilliland worked with Yellow Jacket quarterbacks after assisting with the receiving corps in 2006, including Biletnikoff Award winner and current Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson. Gilliland coached the running backs for two seasons at Tech, a group that included Doak Walker semi-finalist Jonathan Dwyer. Dwyer was the ACC rushing leader and player of the year in 2008. In three seasons at Georgia Southern, Gilliland worked with the running backs (2010), tight ends and tackles (2011) and wide receivers (2012). He took over the recruiting coordinator duties following the conclusion of the 2011 season. With Gilliland on staff, Georgia Southern posted a 31-12 (.721) overall record, won two Southern Conference titles (2011, 2012) and made three consecutive NCAA Football Championship Series (FCS) semifinal appearances during Gillilands time as an Eagle. Gilliland was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill trophy in 2003. He earned all-region recognition from the Football Gazette (2002). He concluded his career as the Tigers single-season (3,213) and career passing yards (6,689) record holder. In 2012, he was inducted into the UWA Athletic Hall of Fame. At the conclusion of his playing career, Gilliland had posted four of the top 10 single game passing performances in school history, including a then school-record 470 yards against Valdosta State in 2002., A two-time member of the All-Gulf South Conference Academic list, he was a two-time winner of the Asa Green Scholar-Athlete Award, an award presented to the UWA student-athlete with the highest grade-point average on the football team, winning it in 2001 and 2003. A 2003 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District IV selection, he also was honored twice with a Gulf South Conference Top Eight award before graduating magna cum laude from UWA in 2004. Gilliland and his wife, Amanda, are the parents of a son, Rece (4), and an infant daughter, Ella Kate. His father, Ronnie, was a member of the UWA 1971 National Championship Football team.

Scott Cochran joins the UWA family after a distinguished career as a strength and conditioning coach at Louisiana State University (LSU) and the University of Alabama, and special teams coach at the University of Georgia. He began his career at LSU, where he laid the foundation for his coaching philosophy and contributed to the program's success. At Alabama, he played a crucial role in the development of the Crimson Tide's football program, contributing to multiple national championships and SEC titles. His tenure at Georgia further solidified his reputation as a top-tier coach, where he helped the Bulldogs achieve significant success on the field. Throughout his career, Cochran has developed more than 50 athletes who went on to be first-round draft picks and more than 200 athletes who were drafted into the NFL. His accomplishments and honors include being part of teams that won eight national championships, showcasing his ability to contribute to winning programs at the highest level. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Cochran's journey has been marked by personal growth and resilience. He has boldly emerged from a period of significant personal struggle with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to mentoring young athletes. His experiences have equipped him with a unique perspective and a profound understanding of the importance of mental and emotional well-being in achieving success. Recently, Coach Cochran has dedicated his time to traveling across the country, speaking to athletes and organizations as part of his nonprofit, the American Addiction Recovery Association. His efforts have been focused on promoting mental health, resilience, and recovery, further demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact both on and off the field. Cochran takes the helm of UWA football following a 9-2 season for the Tigers, noted the best record in college football in Alabama in 2024, which also marked the end of a 10-season chapter as head coach for now Athletic Director Brett Gilliland.

C.J. Hampton joined the University of West Alabama defensive football staff in May 2022, serving as the Tigers' Defensive Backs coach. In 2024, Hampton led UWA's Issac Williams and Lamar Gray to All-GSC seasons.   Hampton comes to UWA from Hinds (Miss.) Community College after coaching defensive backs in 2021. Prior to Hinds, he coached defensive backs at Mississippi Delta Community College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for one season each, helping lead MGCCC to a national title. In 2018, he spent a year coaching at Meridian (Miss.) High School, his prep alma mater.   In 2019 the defensive squad at Gulf Coast CC led the nation in total defense, with 191.1 yards allowed per game, and was third in the nation in pass defense and fourth in run defense.   As a free safety at Ole Miss, Hampton had 23 solo tackles and four assists as a sophomore and racked up 14 solos and 16 assists as a senior. He had with five career starts and 83 total tackles, in addition to picking up a pair of forced fumbles, a tackle for loss and three passes defended.   Hampton was a U.S. Army All-American, a four-star recruit and was selected to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game coming out of Meridian High. The son of former UWA Tiger player Calvin Hampton (1998-2002), he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ole Miss in 2017.      

Square accepts the first coaching job of his career after playing nine seasons in the NFL. Square kicked off his NFL Career by signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2013. For the remainder of his career, the Defensive Lineman went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Cincinnati Bengals before returning to the Chargers on a one day contract in 2023 to retire with the team. Square won an AFC Championship with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021, propelling him to his first Super Bowl Appearance. Before making his way to the professional ranks, Square played for the University of Alabama from 2008-2012 while Coach Cochran served as the Strength and Conditioning coach for the program. During his time with the Crimson Tide, Square was instrumental in helping Alabama win three National Championships, coming in 2010, 2012, and 2013. The Houston, Texas native bolstered Alabama's defensive line, recording 93 total tackles, 19 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks in his four seasons under Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide which led to his lengthy NFL career. After retiring from the game of football as a player in 2023, Square served as a Sideline Reporter for CTSN and is now set to begin his coaching career with West Alabama.

Carmen Felus is returns to the University of West Alabama football coaching staff as Offensive Coordinator in 2025. Under Felus in 2024, UWA's offense averaged 31.27 points and 374.9 yards per game, helping the Tigers to a 9-2 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Playoffs.    Other coaching stops for Felus include being the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Tennessee-Martin (2011-14), head coach at Juniata College (2009-11), offensive coordinator and associate head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga (2006-08), offensive coordinator at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2000-06), offensive coordinator at Shepherd University (1998-2000), pass game coordinator and receivers coach at Adams State (1997-98) and quarterbacks and receivers coach at Saint Francis (1995-97).   Felus has coached 19 NFL or CFL players, 10 All-Americans and 10 career or season record holders through the years. In his first stop at UWA, he coached current Kansas City Chiefs star and All-American receiver Tyreek Hill, All-American receiver Daryl Collins, GSC offensive player of the year Kyle Caldwell, Javae Swindle, the leading rusher in UWA history, and all-conference receiver Chad Toocheck.   Felus played collegiately at Western Maryland and Lock Haven. In two seasons at Western Maryland, he finished as the sixth-leading receiver in school history. At Lock Haven, he was a two-year letter winner as a starting quarterback and wide receiver.   He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Western Maryland in 1995.  

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.