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Ken Cocker
Ken Cocker
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BREAKING: Jasper hires former UAB DC Reeves as new head coach

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Jasper was looking for a superlative leader to help guide its football program into the upper echelon and has landed their new head coach — former UAB defensive coordinator David Reeves.

Reeves, who has spent the past six seasons as defensive coordinator for the Blazers, succeeds Philip Bailey — who guided the Vikings to a first-round playoff appearance.

A two-time Broyles Award nominee, Reeves’ unit has been one of the most disruptive defenses in the country, finishing top 20 nationally in total defense four straight years (2018-2021) and ranking inside the top 10 three times (2018-2020).

His defense has paved the way for UAB to win a C-USA record three West division titles (2018-2020), two Conference USA Championships (2018, 2020) and two bowl games (2018, 2021).

Over the past four seasons, UAB has been among the nation’s best in getting to the quarterback, compiling 147 total sacks and 350 tackles for loss. Additionally, UAB has been able to get off the field when it counted the most, finishing No. 2 nationally in third down defense in 2018, No. 3 in 2019, and No. 7 in 2020.

Most recently in 2021, Reeves’ unit finished 16th nationally in total defense. The Blazers saved their best game for last in a 31-28 victory over No. 13 BYU in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. The Blazers held one of the nation’s most high-powered offenses to 392 yards and 28 points while compiling six TFL, one sack and a fumble recovery to secure the victory.

Reeves’ leadership and guidance proved to be successful once again for the Blazers in the 2020 season. For a second straight year, the Blazers finished in the Top-10 in the country in passing yards allowed at 173.2 yards per game. For a third straight year, the Green and Gold finished Top 10 nationally in total defense. UAB ranked seventh by allowing opponents to gain just 311.1 yards per game.

UAB’s defense got to opposing quarterbacks often during the 2020 season. In nine games played, the Blazers amounted 21 sacks and averaged 2.33 sacks per game. UAB also caused a turnover in every game except one and recorded 14 total turnovers including eight interceptions and six fumble recoveries.

Reeves’ extraordinary efforts resulted in him being named a semifinalist for the 2018 Broyles Award and a nominee in 2019. The Broyles Award is annually given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Under his guidance, the Blazers have shattered the record book. Along with finishing ninth in total defense (299.2) in 2018, UAB ranked top 10 nationally in five other statistical categories: second in third down defense (.260), fifth in fourth down defense (.318), fifth in sacks per game (3.43), seventh in scoring defense (17.0) and seventh in tackles for loss per game (7.9).

Additionally, UAB set the school record with 48 sacks and 111 tackles for loss. The Blazers also pitched three shutouts in 2018 which led the nation, and they were the first team in Conference USA history to have three shutouts in one season (52-0 vs. Savannah State, 42-0 at Rice, 19-0 at UTEP).

The dominating defense guided UAB to an 11-3 overall record as the Blazers won their first Conference USA Championship in school history, defeating Middle Tennessee 27-25 in the title game. UAB would go on to win their first bowl game with a 37-13 victory over Northern Illinois in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.

Despite losing eight starters entering the 2019 season, UAB didn’t miss a beat. Along with finishing eighth in total defense and third in third down defense, the Blazers ranked fifth nationally in fumble recoveries (14), eighth in passing yards allowed (183.6), 11th in sacks per game (3.14) and 14th in tackles for loss per game (7.6).

Leading the way for UAB was linebacker Kristopher Moll and defensive lineman Garrett Marino, who were each named First Team All-Conference USA. Outside linebacker Jordan Smith was a Second Team All-Conference USA selection, and in all, Reeves guided nine defensive players to all conference accolades in 2019.

Reeves was named UAB’s defensive coordinator in June of 2016. Prior to his appointment as the defensive coordinator, Reeves was the Blazers’ defensive line coach since 2014 and stayed with Coach Clark to help rebuild the program during its two-year hiatus.

With Reeves in charge, the 2017 Blazers’ defense jumped up to 5th in Conference USA in total defense and 41st overall nationally.

The team ended the season ranked 22nd in the country in passing yards allowed and 18th in team passing efficiency defense, both of which were good for second in the conference. Due in large part to current LA Rams corner Darious Williams’ five interceptions and 15 pass breakups, UAB was third in the C-USA in total interceptions with 14 on the season. Williams led C-USA in passes defended (20), pass breakups (15) and interceptions (5).

Williams was a First Team All-Conference USA selection, and Reeves also helped fellow seniors Tevin Crews and Shaq Jones earn All-Conference USA accolades at linebacker.

In 2014, Reeves’ first season at UAB , he was an integral part of the Blazers’ remarkable turnaround which saw them finish 6-6 after being 2-10 the year prior.

The Blazers improved 44 spots in total defense in 2014, spearheaded by the defensive line. Reeves’ unit helped UAB tally 34 sacks in his first season, which was 16 more than the year before. The Blazers also finished with 81 TFLs with Reeves, a +21 difference from the 2013 campaign.

At the conclusion of 2014, the UAB defense allowed 29.9 points against, which was an average of 14 points better from 2013 when UAB allowed 43.8 points against.

Reeves joined the Blazers in 2014 following a year-long stint at Jacksonville State where he coached the defensive line under the direction of Head Coach Bill Clark.

In 2013 at JSU, Reeves’ unit ranked first in the Ohio Valley Conference in sacks (52) and third in the league in scoring defense (23.6 ppg). Under Reeves’ guidance, two Gamecocks earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, including second team selection defensive lineman Caleb Lawrence. Jacksonville State defensive end Chris Landrum was named to the OVC Newcomer squad.

Reeves was the secondary coach at UT Martin in 2012, after coaching the previous five seasons at Southern Arkansas where he was the defensive coordinator his final two years. Reeves was a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama from 2005-06 and was the defensive coordinator at Athens (Ala.) High School from 2000-05.

He is a 1991 graduate of Athens State University.

Reeves and his wife Starr have two sons, Major and Rhett.