Alabama A&M Bulldogs Football Staff Is Shaping Up

COURTESY AAMU ATHLETICS

NORMAL, Alabama -- Newly minted head football coach James Spady has announced part of his staff that will join him on "The Hill".

Spady's staff will include three new members and one familiar member as he was retained from the previous coaching staff. Coaches to work with coach Spady include defensive coach Brent Pradia. On the offensive side of the ball will be Willie Totten, Ashley Lelie and Andy Fuller. The remaining staff will be announced at a later date.

Brent Pradia hails from Mesquite, Texas. Pradia has held coaching positions on multiple levels including high school, community college and the university level. Pradia's latest coaching stint was as a varsity assistant coach with the Mesquite High Skeeters. While on "The Hill", Pradia will coach the outside linebackers and the defensive backs.

On the opposite side of the ball, Spady has named three to his offensive coaching staff.

Willie Totten is no stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference as he is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University. Totten earned the nickname "Satellite" by passing himself and MVSU into the NCAA national record books. During Totten's career at MVSU, he helped the Delta Devils to a 28-11-1 record as the captain of "The Satellite Express" offense and passed for over 50 NCAA records. In 1984, he was the national leader in total offensive yards per game, having gained 4,572 yards in 10 games (457.2 per game average). In addition, in 1983 and 1984, he was the NCAA annual champion in passing with efficiency ratings of 167.5 and 163.6, respectively. Totten will bring his knowledge and experience to the Bulldogs team as the quarterbacks coach. Last season Totten held the same position at Albany State.

Andy Fuller first came to Alabama A&M as a graduate assistant during the 1998 and 99 seasons. He then returned in 2007 after a successful seven-year playing career as an offensive and defensive lineman with the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the Arena Football League 2. Fuller won a regional championship with the Vipers in 2000. Fuller is one of two coaches retained from the previous coaching staff; under coach Spady, Fuller will serve as the running backs coach.

Ashley Lelie, the former Denver Broncos wide receiver, and a first-round pick (19th overall) in the 2002 draft will join the Maroon & White as the wide receivers coach. Lelie started his coaching career at the University of Nevada whose "pistol" offense sent quarterback Colin Kaepernick into the NFL in 2013. Lelie played seven years in the NFL, including four in Denver. He was traded to the Falcons before the 2006 season. In all, he caught 217 passes for 3,749 yards and 15 touchdowns. Lelie also played for San Francisco (2007) and Oakland (2008).

"Our strategy for hiring coaches was to bring in people we trusted, coaches we have worked with previously or have been recommended by people we trusted. We wanted to be surrounded by family men who are good people," head coach Spady mentioned. "They are all good teaches and good football coaches who will be great mentors and role models for our student athletes. I also feel confident that we are on the same page philosophically. All these men are here to coach smart, fast and physical football at Alabama A&M University."

The new coaching staff has 107 years of coaching experience combined, with 20 championships between them. They have coached 43 players that have moved on to play professional football and they have a combined 46 appearances in post season games. They also have a combined 16 years of professional playing experience.



COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SP0RTS INFORMATION