LIVINGSTON, Ala. (WTOK) – The University of West Alabama unveiled Scott Cochran as its 22nd Head Football Coach on Friday morning.

Cochran, a first-time Head Coach, was an assistant for Nick Saban at the University of Alabama and Kirby Smart at the University of Georgia.

“He knows how to win. He’s had great mentors. He’s really committed to the culture that we have, not just in our football program but at this university. One of the first things he said to me was we’re not only going to succeed on the field, we’re going to succeed in the classroom and so that’s really important as well. And certainly, the notoriety is great. We’re never going to turn away from that. That’s why y’all are here. There are people that know about the University of West Alabama today that didn’t yesterday, right? And so that’s important as well,” University President, Dr. Todd G. Fritch said.

When asked how much of what he learned under Saban and Smart, Cochran said, “I hope I don’t start walking like Coach Saban, or you know, wearing the same hat. I mean, it’s the man I learned from. I learned everything from… How to do this… How to do that. I’m going to do my best to be me, but I’m sure you’re going to see a bunch of sprinkled in of all the guys that I’ve been around.”

When asked if the players are ready for how intense he can be as a coach, Cochran added, “No… I mean I every time I sat down with a guy, they told me that they watched videos. Their dad… It was always their dad [who were] like, ‘I can’t believe you just… I don’t think you know who you just got as a coach. Get ready. You all are going to be great.’ You know like, ok. I think. It’s going to be hard too. It’s going to be shock and awe, but they’ll love it. They’ll learn to love it.”

Cochran replaces Brett Gilliland, who spent 11 years as the Head Coach of UWA and capped his career with a 9-2 season last year and an appearance in the Division II Playoffs.

”Being the head coach here for 11 years is a dream come true, right? My family is all entrenched in this place. My dad [was] on the ‘71 team. My mom went to school here. I went to school and played here. This place has always been special to us, and it always will be. Being able to be in that spot was remarkable. It’s really… At that point in my life… When I got this job… It’s all I wanted to do,” Gilliland said.

Gilliland has assumed the duties of Athletic Director of West Alabama.

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