The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Head Coach/Director of Sports Performance
- Phone:
- 975-9536
Lyle Henley enters his second season as UAB’s Assistant Head Coach and 11th year with the Blazers in 2026. Henley continues to oversee the football program’s strength and conditioning efforts after being promoted to Assistant Head Coach prior to the 2025 season.
Henley has been a cornerstone of the program since UAB’s return to the playing field. He joined the Blazers during their practice season in 2016 and has since been a part of 61 victories, including three bowl wins, three Conference USA West Division titles and two Conference USA championships.
Regarded as one of the top strength coaches in the country, Henley has a proven track record of developing players into next-level talent. During his time at UAB, he has helped 13 players reach the NFL.
Overall, Henley has coached nearly 100 players who have signed NFL contracts, including 23 first-round draft picks throughout his time at UAB and while operating Athlete Factory, a private training facility in Spanish Fort, Ala., from 2005-15.
Henley also helped Spanish Fort High School win Alabama state championships in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Henley was a linebacker and tight end at Louisiana Tech from 1994-99 and got his first coaching job at the University of Alabama from 2000-02. He then returned to his alma mater as head strength coach from 2003-04 before opening his private gym.
Henley and his wife, Nicki, have two children, son Gage and daughter Jocie.
