First-year University of West Alabama head football coach Brett Gilliland announced today that Mike McCarty has been retained and will be the only coach from the previous staff to return in a on-the-field capacity.

“Coach McCarty is a true Tiger and a tremendous asset to our program,” Gilliland said. “His knowledge of this university and his work ethic makes him a valuable part of our staff. It is nice having another product of this great university here with us.”

McCarty will coach Tiger receivers after working with running backs in 2013. He has been a member of the UWA football staff for six years, also working with tight ends and quarterbacks.

He played a huge part in three NCAA Playoff appearances over the last five years for the Tigers, as well as back-to-back Gulf South Conference titles in 2012 and 2013.

McCarty began his playing career at Troy University, where he was a wide receiver for the Trojans from 2001-2004 before transferring to West Alabama in 2006.

A 2001 graduate of Sumiton Christian High School, he finished his prep career with 3,200 yards receiving.

A native of Birmingham, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree at UWA in 2008 in Sports Management.