The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Clark Adds Richard Owens and Jay Simpson to Coaching Staff
2/13/2019 10:35:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM - Two familiar faces will be on the sidelines for the UAB football program in 2019 as head coach Bill Clark has announced the additions of Richard Owens and Jay Simpson to his coaching staff.
Owens returns to UAB after spending 2012-14 with the Blazers and will coach the offensive line, while Simpson has been with the program since 2016 and has been promoted from defensive analyst to cornerbacks coach.
A five-year NFL tight end with the Vikings, Rams and Jets from 2004-09, Owens began his coaching career in 2010 at the University of Arkansas and was with the Razorbacks as a graduate assistant working with tight ends for two seasons.
Owens then joined the Blazers in 2012 and worked with tight ends, and in 2013 was named the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. In 2014, Clark's first year at UAB, Owens was tight ends coach.
Following the 2014 season, Owens was at South Alabama for three years as the tight ends coach in 2015 and the offensive line coach from 2016-17. Most recently, he worked at the University of Louisville, his Alma Mater, as the tight ends coach and director of on-campus recruiting.
Owens and his wife Tina have one daughter, Rylan.
"It is great to have Richard back coaching at UAB," Clark said. "His familiarity with the program along with his extensive playing and coaching background will make an immediate impact on this team."
Simpson has been with UAB since its return, and spent the 2016-17 seasons as a graduate assistant working with defensive backs. He transitioned into his role as defensive analyst for UAB's record-setting 2018 season in which the Blazers finished ninth nationally in total defense.
Working alongside defensive backs coach Blake Shrader, Simpson helped the Blazers become one of the most dominant defenses in the country as their unit finished the season ranked 14th nationally in passing yards allowed and 21st in passing efficiency defense.
Prior to UAB, Simpson began his coaching career at South Alabama and spent the 2014-15 seasons with the Jags where he was quality control and worked with linebackers in 2014, and defensive backs in 2015.
Simpson played his college football at South Alabama from 2009-11 and was a two-year starter at corner with Clark as the defensive coordinator. He graduated from South Alabama in 2011 with a business degree.
He and his wife Kelsey have one daughter, Khodi.
"Jay played for me at South Alabama and brings energy and enthusiasm to our team each and every day," Clark said. "Being able to move Jay into this new role will be a seamless transition as he already has relationships with the coaches and players and will be working with."
The Blazers are less than two weeks away from the start of spring football, which begins on Feb. 26. UAB looks to build upon its unprecedented success in 2018 in which the Blazers finished 11-3 overall and won the C-USA title and the Boca Raton Bowl.
Owens returns to UAB after spending 2012-14 with the Blazers and will coach the offensive line, while Simpson has been with the program since 2016 and has been promoted from defensive analyst to cornerbacks coach.
A five-year NFL tight end with the Vikings, Rams and Jets from 2004-09, Owens began his coaching career in 2010 at the University of Arkansas and was with the Razorbacks as a graduate assistant working with tight ends for two seasons.
Owens then joined the Blazers in 2012 and worked with tight ends, and in 2013 was named the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. In 2014, Clark's first year at UAB, Owens was tight ends coach.
Following the 2014 season, Owens was at South Alabama for three years as the tight ends coach in 2015 and the offensive line coach from 2016-17. Most recently, he worked at the University of Louisville, his Alma Mater, as the tight ends coach and director of on-campus recruiting.
Owens and his wife Tina have one daughter, Rylan.
"It is great to have Richard back coaching at UAB," Clark said. "His familiarity with the program along with his extensive playing and coaching background will make an immediate impact on this team."
Simpson has been with UAB since its return, and spent the 2016-17 seasons as a graduate assistant working with defensive backs. He transitioned into his role as defensive analyst for UAB's record-setting 2018 season in which the Blazers finished ninth nationally in total defense.
Working alongside defensive backs coach Blake Shrader, Simpson helped the Blazers become one of the most dominant defenses in the country as their unit finished the season ranked 14th nationally in passing yards allowed and 21st in passing efficiency defense.
Prior to UAB, Simpson began his coaching career at South Alabama and spent the 2014-15 seasons with the Jags where he was quality control and worked with linebackers in 2014, and defensive backs in 2015.
Simpson played his college football at South Alabama from 2009-11 and was a two-year starter at corner with Clark as the defensive coordinator. He graduated from South Alabama in 2011 with a business degree.
He and his wife Kelsey have one daughter, Khodi.
"Jay played for me at South Alabama and brings energy and enthusiasm to our team each and every day," Clark said. "Being able to move Jay into this new role will be a seamless transition as he already has relationships with the coaches and players and will be working with."
The Blazers are less than two weeks away from the start of spring football, which begins on Feb. 26. UAB looks to build upon its unprecedented success in 2018 in which the Blazers finished 11-3 overall and won the C-USA title and the Boca Raton Bowl.
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