The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Cornerbacks
Lionel Stokes enters his first season as UABβs cornerbacks coach in 2026.
Stokes arrives in Birmingham after spending the previous two seasons at Michigan, where he worked with the Wolverinesβ secondary and helped develop one of the nationβs top defensive units. During the 2025 season, Michigan recorded 13 interceptions and ranked 21st nationally in total defense, 16th in scoring defense and 13th in rushing defense. All four starting defensive backs earned All-Big Ten recognition, including second-team selection Zeke Berry and honorable mention performers Jyaire Hill, Brandyn Hillman and TJ Metcalf.
In his first season at Michigan in 2024, Stokes helped mentor a secondary that contributed to a defense which ranked 10th nationally in total defense and 19th in scoring defense. He also worked closely with cornerback Will Johnson, who earned All-America and All-Big Ten honors after recording two interception returns for touchdowns despite appearing in just six games.
Prior to Michigan, Stokes spent two seasons at Louisiana working with the defensive backs. During his tenure, the Raginβ Cajuns ranked among the nationβs leaders in takeaways, finishing 19th nationally with 23 takeaways in 2022 and 26th nationally with 22 takeaways in 2023. He also helped develop First Team All-Sun Belt defensive back Bralen Trahan, who went on to sign with the Chicago Bears.
Stokes previously served as cornerbacks coach and NFL liaison at Nicholls State in 2021. Under his guidance, the Colonels led the Southland Conference in pass defense and third-down defense while ranking second in both total defense and rushing defense. Cornerback Jarius Monroe earned First Team All-Conference honors and later signed with the New York Jets.
Before Nicholls, Stokes spent four seasons at Jackson State, including serving as defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach from 2018-20. His 2019 defense ranked second in the SWAC in pass defense, while linebacker Keonte Hampton earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Defensive back C.J. Holmes also ranked among the conference leaders in interceptions and passes defended. As cornerbacks coach in 2018, Stokes helped Jackson State finish second in the conference in both total defense and rushing defense while Holmes led the SWAC in passes defended.
Stokes began his collegiate coaching career at Louisiana as a defensive graduate assistant from 2014-15, working primarily with the defensive backs. He was elevated to outside linebackers and nickel backs coach during the 2016 season before spending 2017 as the defensive backs coach at Howard Payne and then joining the staff at Jackson State.
A native of Columbia, Miss., Stokes played defensive back at Copiah-Lincoln Community College before finishing his collegiate career at Louisiana. A two-year starter for the Raginβ Cajuns, he recorded 135 tackles and five interceptions while helping Louisiana capture the 2011 New Orleans Bowl championship.
Stokes earned an associate degree in mathematics from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 2009, a bachelorβs degree in general studies from Louisiana in 2012 and a masterβs degree in sport management from Louisiana in 2016.
Stokes and his wife, Bria, have a son, Maximus, and a daughter, Madison.
