LIVINGSTON, Ala. — April 8, 2025 — In a move that’s sending ripples through the Division II football world and stirring memories among Crimson Tide faithful, University of West Alabama head coach Scott Cochran has made headlines by bringing two familiar names back into the coaching fold. Former Alabama quarterback Blake Sims and running back Ronnie Clark have officially joined the West Alabama Tigers’ coaching staff, solidifying Cochran’s commitment to rebuilding the program through a culture rooted in championship experience and relentless energy.
Sims will take over as the Tigers’ quarterbacks coach, while Clark has been named running backs coach and special teams assistant. For a program looking to ascend from mediocrity to consistent contention in the Gulf South Conference, these hires represent a bold, inspired step forward — and a clear signal that Cochran is not afraid to lean into his Crimson Tide roots to build a new legacy in Livingston.
A Vision Realized: Cochran’s Alabama DNA Runs Deep
Scott Cochran, the former longtime Alabama strength and conditioning coach and special teams coordinator at Georgia, took over the reins at West Alabama ahead of the 2024 season. Known for his infectious energy and championship pedigree, Cochran wasted no time installing his signature brand of intensity, accountability, and toughness.
But 2025 is shaping up to be the year he fully makes the program his own — and it starts with the coaching staff.
“These guys aren’t just former players,” Cochran said during Tuesday’s press conference. “They’re leaders. They’ve been in the fire. They know what it takes to win. Blake Sims and Ronnie Clark are going to make us better from the first whistle to the final snap.”
Cochran’s connections to the Alabama program run as deep as anyone’s. He was a critical part of Nick Saban’s dynasty from 2007 to 2019, helping to shape the physical identity of teams that captured five national titles. Bringing in Sims and Clark represents a full-circle moment, reuniting three men who understand both the demands and rewards of SEC-level competition.
Blake Sims: From Record-Setter to Mentor
For many Crimson Tide fans, the name Blake Sims still brings back memories of the electric 2014 season. As Alabama’s starting quarterback that year, Sims broke the school’s single-season passing record with 3,487 yards and led the Tide to an SEC Championship and a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff.
But Sims’ journey to that moment was anything but conventional. A high school quarterback from Gainesville, Georgia, he arrived in Tuscaloosa as a dual-threat athlete who many assumed would never take a meaningful snap under center. He bided his time, switched positions multiple times, and even briefly played running back. But when given the chance to start as a senior, Sims seized the moment with grace, poise, and fire.
Now, he brings that same perseverance and leadership to a new generation of quarterbacks at West Alabama.
“I’ve been through the highs and the lows,” Sims said. “I’ve had to fight for every opportunity I’ve gotten. That’s the mentality I want to bring here — to help these young men understand that their story isn’t written yet. I’m here to help them write a championship chapter.”
Sims has spent the last several years gaining coaching experience at the high school level in Georgia while also training quarterbacks privately. His knowledge of modern spread concepts, RPO systems, and quarterback footwork fundamentals has made him a sought-after developmental coach. His bond with Cochran, forged during their time together at Alabama, only added to the natural fit.
“Blake was the first guy I called,” Cochran said. “He’s got the mind of a coach, the heart of a leader, and the toughness of a competitor. And our quarterbacks are going to love learning from him.”
Ronnie Clark: Resilience Reborn on the Sideline
While Blake Sims was setting records on the field, Ronnie Clark was quietly battling adversity behind the scenes. The former four-star athlete from Calera, Alabama, arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2014 with great promise, expected to be a difference-maker at safety or running back. However, injuries severely hampered his playing career. Multiple Achilles injuries ultimately limited his on-field opportunities, but Clark remained a beloved figure in the locker room.
“Ronnie was the ultimate team guy,” Cochran recalled. “He never complained, never gave up. He was always the first guy to help out, to lift a teammate up. That kind of heart doesn’t go away just because the playing days are over.”
Since finishing his career at Alabama, Clark has focused on coaching and mentorship. He returned to Calera to help with their football program and has worked with youth football organizations throughout Alabama. At West Alabama, he’ll take over running backs duties and assist with special teams — a unit Cochran still personally oversees but wants to develop with elite attention to detail.
“Special teams is where I learned the most at Alabama,” Clark said. “That’s where effort, discipline, and grit show up the most. I’m here to bring that edge to everything we do.”
Culture Shift Underway in Livingston
When Scott Cochran took the West Alabama job, he inherited a team stuck in neutral. The Tigers had finished 5–6 in 2023, marked by inconsistent quarterback play, underwhelming defensive performances, and a lack of identity. Cochran spent his first season laying the foundation, improving strength and conditioning, and emphasizing mental toughness. The 2024 campaign showed signs of life, with a 7–4 finish and competitive losses to GSC powers like Valdosta State and West Florida.
Now, with a full offseason, two championship-caliber assistants, and returning talent on both sides of the ball, expectations are quietly rising in Livingston.
“We’re building something special here,” Cochran said. “We’re not just trying to win games — we’re trying to change lives.”
Players have already begun to notice the shift. Sophomore quarterback Elijah Patton, who started six games last season, says Sims has made an immediate impact in the QB room.
“Coach Sims is real. He’s honest. He’s been where we want to go,” Patton said. “He’s helping me understand the game at a whole new level. It’s different when your coach has done it at the highest level.”
Running back Jalen Parker echoed that sentiment regarding Clark.
“Coach Clark doesn’t just teach you how to run — he teaches you how to think like a champion,” Parker said. “He’s got so much energy and belief. You can feel it every day.”
Looking Ahead: 2025 Schedule and GSC Implications
West Alabama’s 2025 schedule includes early non-conference tests against Miles College and Tuskegee, followed by critical Gulf South matchups versus Delta State, West Georgia, and perennial powerhouse Valdosta State. With Sims and Clark on board, expectations are shifting from rebuilding to contending.
While the Tigers aren’t yet considered GSC favorites, league coaches and analysts are already taking notice.
“This is a bold staff,” said GSC Network analyst Matt Johansen. “You’ve got three guys in Cochran, Sims, and Clark who know what excellence looks like. That attitude will rub off, and it’s only a matter of time before they make noise.”
Indeed, for Cochran, the goal isn’t just to win games — it’s to develop players who embody the toughness, resilience, and character that defined Alabama’s dominance during his time there.
“You can’t fake it in this business,” Cochran said. “Kids know when you care. Blake and Ronnie — they care. They’ve lived it. Now they get to lead it.”
Crimson Tide Connections Fuel a New Era
It’s hard to overlook the symbolism of what Cochran is building in Livingston. A former Alabama strength guru, a former starting quarterback, and a former running back — all Crimson Tide alums — converging at a Division II school in western Alabama to rebuild from the ground up. It’s the kind of underdog story that fans, players, and alumni can rally around.
And while none of them are shying away from their Alabama past, all three coaches emphasized that their goal is to write a new chapter — one grounded in West Alabama pride.
“We’re not trying to be Alabama 2.0,” Sims said. “We’re building something new here. Something real. Something that matters.”
That sense of mission has already started to resonate. Early recruiting returns have been promising, with several high school prospects from Alabama and Mississippi expressing newfound interest in the Tigers.
“We’ve got kids who want to be coached by Blake Sims,” Cochran said. “We’ve got kids who want to run for Ronnie Clark. That’s the difference. That’s the start of something big.”
Final Thoughts: More Than a Reunion — It’s a Statement
This isn’t just a reunion of Alabama greats. It’s a declaration of intent. Scott Cochran didn’t hire Sims and Clark to take a walk down memory lane — he brought them in to raise the standard, to bring elite football IQ and unmatched passion to a program hungry for respect.
The University of West Alabama is no longer content being a footnote in the Gulf South. With Cochran at the helm and Sims and Clark on staff, the Tigers are ready to roar again.
As spring practice begins and fall approaches, the message is loud and clear: West Alabama football is back — and it’s powered by champions.