Scott Cochran, the architect of Alabama’s well-known strength and conditioning program, is expected to leave for Georgia after 13 years with the Crimson Tide.
Cochran will reconnect with former Alabama defensive coordinator and current Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart in an on-field role, the Tuscaloosa News is reporting. Cochran and Smart grew to be close off-field friends when they were on Alabama staff together, to the point that Smart attempted to lure Cochran with him when Smart got the head job at Georgia in 2015.
Cochran was reportedly courted for a similar position this offseason by Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin, another former Crimson Tide assistant.
Cochran reached fame relative to his position for his high-energy antics and weight room mantras. He has been received a great deal of credit for the success Alabama has had under head coach Nick Saban, for both physical development of players and the reinforcement of the program’s culture.
Known for his loud gravely drawl, Cochran is a beloved favorite among Alabama fans and was considered one of the top strength and conditioning coaches in college football, ranking fifth nationally with a $595,000 per year salary, according to USA TODAY’s annual coaching salary database.
The move by Cochran shakes up what had been a relatively stable offseason in the context of typically tumultuous offseason for the Alabama coaching staff in recent years. The only on-field change to date has been replacing defensive line coach Brian Baker with former Crimson Tide Freddie Roach.
