“We’re thrilled to welcome another Alabama Football legend and NFL Champion, O.J. Howard,” Cochran said in a statement. “O.J. was an outstanding athlete at Alabama, earning a first-round NFL Draft selection, but what truly set him apart was his leadership. He is a leader of men, and that’s exactly why he’s the perfect fit for this role.”

Another former Alabama football player is joining Scott Cochran's West Alabama football staff. O.J. Howard, the former Crimson Tide tight end who was a five-star recruit and won three SEC championships and a national championship in his four seasons at Alabama,

"Just love, all love," Cochran said. "Come on. I worked for the man 18 years. He is a father figure for me, so I learned everything I have from him." Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him [email protected] or follow him@_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Scott Cochran is in a completely different place than when he last moved college football programs. After spending 2007-19 in Tuscaloosa as Nick Saban's strength and conditioning coach for Alabama football,

West Alabama head coach Scott Cochran hasn’t wasted any time rebuilding the Tigers’ football program since being hired in February. The former Alabama strength and conditioning coach has now added former Alabama tight end O.