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.J. Howard as the program’s Director of Player Development, the team announced Tuesday.
O.J. Howard’s Role and Impact
O.J. Howard is the fourth former University of Alabama player and the third former NFL player to join West Alabama’s staff since Cochran was hired in early February.
He’s won and excelled at every level of 🏈! A National Champion, Multiple Time SEC Champion, and Super Bowl Champion joins the staff‼️
Everyone join us in welcoming O.J. Howard to our UWA Family!
📰: https://t.co/2DjbcePJn8 pic.twitter.com/0ZG0W5rKEE
— West Alabama FB (@uwa_football) March 11, 2025
Cochran seemed estatic with his new staff member and spoke highly of him.
“We’re thrilled to welcome another Alabama Football legend and NFL Champion, O.J. Howard,” said Cochran. “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.”
He wasn’t just an average player, either. Howard, a Prattville, Ala., native, played for the Crimson Tide from 2013 to 2016, winning a national championship in the 2015 season.
As a tight end, Howard was a key weapon in Alabama’s offense, finishing his college career with 114 catches for 1,726 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
He shared the field with standout receivers like Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, and ArDarius Stewart. Howard played a crucial role in Alabama’s success, earning MVP honors in the 2015 National Championship game and helping lead the Crimson Tide to three SEC Championships during his time with the team.
After a standout career at Alabama, Howard was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played for the Buccaneers from 2017 to 2021, contributing to the team’s 2020 Super Bowl run. After his time in Tampa Bay, Howard also had stints with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Cochran is excited for Howard to share his knowledge and experience with the team. “O.J. has excelled at every level of football,” Cochran continued. “I can’t wait to get him here and around the group that we have.”
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Howard brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to West Alabama’s program, which has produced notable players like Tyreek Hill and Malcolm Butler.
His success at both the college and professional levels makes him a valuable addition to the staff. With Howard’s leadership and Cochran’s vision, West Alabama’s football program looks poised for a bright future.
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