Reggie Barlow Named Virginia State Head Football Coach

ETTRICK, Virginia  --  The Virginia State University Athletics announced Reggie Barlow as the 25th Head Football Coach in the program's history.

Before arriving to VSU, Barlow coached at several secondary schools by way of his alma mater Alabama State University; where he was the quarterbacks coach from 2005-2006 and the head coach from 2007-2014.

Barlow joined the Alabama State University football staff as quarterbacks coach in 2005. In his first season, Barlow served as mentor and tutor to future NFL second-round draftee Tarvaris Jackson – currently a quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks.

In 2006, Barlow worked with a trio of quarterbacks without a single snap of college football experience between them. Under Barlow's guidance, Alex Engram would earn a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Newcomer of the Week award and finish eighth in the conference in total offense.

After that season, Barlow was named interim head coach. A few weeks later, the interim title was removed and he held the head position for 7 seasons.

In taking over as head coach in 2007, Barlow has compiled an overall record of 48-42. In 2010, the Hornets went 7-5, claimed their fourth outright SWAC Eastern Divisional title and made their third trip to the league's championship game in eight seasons. In 2011, the Hornets improved to 8-3 winning the Turkey Day Classic over Tuskegee.

His years in the league gave him an easy transition into coaching. Barlow spent eight years in the NFL five for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and two for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he won a World Championship in Super Bowl XXXVII and one offseason on the Oakland Raiders roster. He was used as a secondary wide receiver and punt returner. In 1997, he led the NFL in punt return yards with 555 yards on 43 returns.

Barlow is the father of three children — Erica, Reggie Jr. and Simone.

VSU wrapped up the 2015 season with a 6-4 overall record, 4-3 in the CIAA conference. During the spring 2016 conditioning, VSU displayed great talent that will help make the team great for the 2016 campaign.

The Trojan football program has won 11 CIAA Championships (1929, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1945, 1952, 1970, 1972, 1995, 1996 and 2014). In 2014, the Trojans not only advanced to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Playoffs, but they hosted the first round of the playoffs in Rogers Stadium against Long Island University- Post. The Trojans went on to defeat LIU-Post and advance to round two.

"I am pleased with the selection that the search committee has made," said VSU Director of Athletics, Peggy Davis. "We are excited to welcome Coach Barlow to the Land of Troy as the football program continues to move in the right direction."

The 2016 football season will begin on the road on September 3 against Lenoir-Rhyne at 2 p.m.

For more information on VSU Trojans football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

COURTESY  VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS