The University of West Alabama Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Robert Henry as Defensive Coordinator of the UWA football team. Henry comes to Livingston after serving in the same capacity at Henderson State University for the past five seasons. Henry (55) replaces Andy Greening, who left to coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss.

“We are pleased to have a defensive coordinator with the experience of Robert. He has coached on both the Division I and II levels and has had a lot of success,” said UWA head coach Bobby Wallace. “I’ve personally known Robert since our days in college and I can say that he is just as good a person as he is a coach. We are excited to have him on staff at UWA.”

While at HSU, Henry transformed the Reddies’ defense into one of the best in the country. Under Henry’s leadership, the Reddies went from allowing 403.5 yards of total offense per game in 2005, to allowing just 276.9 yards per game in 2006, which ranked 43rd nationally. In 2007, the Reddies finished 10th nationally in total defense allowing just 267.4 yards per contest.

Henry has made numerous coaching stops over his 31 year career and at each he has left a positive impact. At the collegiate level, he has coached in eight bowl games and helped lead three defenses to top 10 finishes in the nation. In 1988, he was nominated for Southeastern Conference Assistant Coach of the Year at the University of Mississippi. Other Division I stops for Henry have included Baylor, SMU, UAB, Southern Mississippi, Wyoming and Tennessee.

Prior to his arrival at Henderson State, Henry was the Defensive Coordinator at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas after serving as head coach and athletic director for one season at Kossuth High School in Mississippi.

West Alabama is coming off an 8-5 season that saw the Tigers return to the NCAA Division II Championships for the first time in 34 years.