Three New Coaches Join UWA Football Staff

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of three new football coaches. Will Hall, Sam Gregg and Desmond Lindsey will all join the 2008 Tiger gridiron staff effective immediately.

“I set out to find offensive coaches that were proven at the Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II level,” UWA Head Coach Bobby Wallace said. “These three gentlemen are proven winners. They have had success both on and off the field in this profession.”

Hall joins the Tigers staff after serving as Offensive Coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 2007. He helped guide the Boll Weevils to the top of the Gulf South Conference in rushing offense and into third place in total offense this past season, while mentoring GSC Freshman of the Year Scott Buisson. Prior to his stint at UAM, Hall served as Offensive Coordinator at Southwest Baptist University in 2006, and led SBU to 23^rd nationally in total offense and 15^th in rushing yards per game in Division II. Hall has also had coaching stints at Presbyterian College (S.C.) and Henderson State.

“Will is a proven leader,” Wallace said. “He comes with high recommendations both as a coach and as a person. He has been successful at different levels in this sport, both as a player and a coach.”

An Amory, Miss.-native, Hall was a standout quarterback at the University of North Alabama, where he was the 2003 Harlon Hill Trophy recipient while leading the Lions to a 13-1 record and the Division II National Quarterfinals. He was named All-American by the Associated Press, Daktronics, Football Gazette and d2football.com, and set 16 school records in his two seasons at UNA. Prior to his playing days at UNA, Hall was a two-time Junior College All-American at Northwest Mississippi Community College, leading the Rangers to a 21-1 record while setting two national NJCAA records for single-season passing with 3,983 yards and 48 touchdowns.

Gregg makes his way to Livingston by way of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he served as Offensive Line Coach for the Boll Weevils. Gregg, also a native of Amory, Miss., was a high school teammate of Hall at Amory High School and has coached with Hall at UAM and Southwest Baptist University. While at SBU, he helped guide the Bearcat offense to 24^th in the nation. Gregg also served as an Offensive Line Assistant at the University of Memphis in 2004. While with UM, the offensive line gave up only five sacks the entire season and earned a trip to the GMAC Bowl in Detroit, Mich.

“Sam brings vast experience at the Division I and II levels as well as the JUCO ranks,” stated Wallace. “He has proven to be successful everywhere he has been. He and Will have a long time connection dating back to their high school playing days and even in the coaching ranks.”

Gregg’s collegiate career began at Itawamba (MS) Community College under Jay Miller, where he later served as defensive line coach in 2003. He also played at Murray State University from 2000 to 2001 under Joe Pannunzio.

Lindsey rounds out the trio making their way to UWA. Lindsey, a Laurel, Miss. native, served as Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at UAM in 2007. A former Delta State standout, Lindsey tutored three of the GSC’s top 10 receivers in 2007. Prior to his stint with the Boll Weevils, Lindsey served as the Wide Receivers Coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Miss. While at MCGCC, he helped guide the Bulldogs to the 2005 MACJC South Division Championship, while mentoring two MACJC All-State wide receivers.

“First of all, Desmond is a West Alabama graduate and it is always great to hire someone with university connections,” said Wallace. “He has also been very successful and will bring an intense recruiting style to our program.”