LIVINGSTON, AL- University of West Alabama Head Football Coach Sam McCorkle has announced the hiring of Rick Butler to fill the vacated defensive coordinator position on the Tiger coaching staff. Butler comes to UWA from Sewanee (The University of the South), where his has spent the last six seasons.

“I am very excited to be coming to West Alabama,” said Butler. “Coach McCorkle has a vision for our program, and sees this program as being nothing short of the best. There is a lot of excitement surrounding this team, and I am looking forward to being a part of that.”

Over the past four seasons, Butler served as offensive coordinator after spending two seasons as the linebackers coach at Sewanee.

“We are very excited with the addition of Coach Butler to our staff,” said McCorkle. “I have known Coach Butler for 10 years and know that he will be a great asset to our program. He is a student of the game and is not only knowledgeable, but also very intense. I believe his enthusiasm will be contagious for our entire program.”

Before making his way to Sewanee, Butler spent time as the head football coach at Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland High School in 1996-97. He has also coached at Clarksville (Tenn.) Northeast High School in 1994-95, leading the Eagles to a 21-4 record, and a ranking as high as number two in the state in 1995.

Before going to Northeast, Butler was the head football coach at Cheatham County High School in Ashland City, Tenn.

Butler spent his playing days as a walk-on at the University of Arkansas, where he graduated with a degree in Communications in 1986. He and his wife Deborah have three children, Brittany (15), Chuck (13) and Celsea (11).