Billy Gresham begins his eighth year on the Alabama State University football staff.
Gresham took over as the Hornets Defensive Coordinator for the 2025 season and will coach inside linebackers for the fourth season.
Gresham served the last three season Special Team Coordinator He also serves as the High School Relations Director and Recruiting Coordinator.
In 2024, the Black SWARM defense was the top defense in the SWAC, ranking first or second in the SWAC in nine categories and the top 10 in the FSC in 10 categories. Sacks (SWAC/FCS) 3.25/gm (1/3) | Total Defense265.0 (1/3) | Rush Defense 105.9 (1/9) | Scoring 16.7 (1/5) | Interceptions15 (1/9) | Fumbles Forced 16 (1) | Turnovers Gained 27 (1/7) | Fewest First Downs 180 (1/6) | Turnover Margin .75 (1/5) | Sacks39 (1) | Tackles for Loss 7.3/gm (2/8) | Passing Yards Allowed 159.1 (2/7) | Fumbles Recovered 10 (3/12)....defense did not allow a touchdown over the last 9 quarters of the season.
Additionally, middle linebacker Rico Dozier earned First-Team All-SWAC honors while Demarcus Cunningham was selected to the second team.
Gresham's special teams, led the SWAC and ranked in the top 5 in FCS in blocked kicks three straight season. ASU has blocked 16 kicks total in 2023 and 2024. Kicker Brandon Gilliam make 19 field goas, which were the most since Preston Clark made 15-of-21 kicks in 2014.
Defensively in 2023, ASU led the SWAC in scoring defense 14.5 (2nd FCS), and ranked second in total defense (281.9 (3rd FCS), passing yards allowed (181.0/10th FCS), rush defense and (100.9/9th FCS). The Hornets were third in the SWAC in fumbles recovered (11/10th FCS and fourth in turnovers gained (22).
The postseason awards saw three Hornets were named to the All-SWAC teams and two defensive u . Colton Adams was named to the first team while Treqwan Thomas and Mikey Victory was earned All-SWAC 2nd Team honors. Colton Adams and Mikey Victory nabbed All-American Honors with Adams being named FCS Football Central's Defensive Player of the Year while Victor was an Aeneas Williams Finalist was later signed by the New England Patriots.
Gresham's special teams saw Robert McMinn earned All-SWAC Second-Team honors after leading the SWAC in combined kick return yards (579/17th FCS), kick returned for touchdown (1/4th FCS), and punts returned for a touchdown (1/7th FCS). He also ranked third in the conference in punt returns (13.9/9th FCS) .
As a team the Hornets led the SWAC in blocked kicks (5/5th FCS) and did not allow a punt block (1st SWAC/1st FCS). The Hornets ranked third in punt returns (13.85) and fourth in kickoff returns (19.32) in the conference.
In 2022, the Hornets ranked second in the SWAC in interceptions (14) and third total defense (313.9), rush defense (126.6) and pass defense (187.2). The Hornets led the SWAC in Red Zone defense at 66 percent (35-of-63). Linebacker Colton Adams, Andrew Ogletree (DL), Irshaad Davis (S), Keenan Issac (CB), Nelson Jordan (DL), and Brandon Gaddy (DL) were named Phil Steele All-SWAC.
Adams earned BOXTOROW First-Team All-American, All-SWAC, and Hero Sports Sophomore All-American. The Wetumpka, Ala., native led the SWAC, and FCS, with 11.6 tackles per game in 11 starts at middle linebacker. Adams registered a SWAC-best 128 tackles and ranked second with 52 solo tackles. He ranked seventh in the SWAC with 1.2 tackles for loss per game, 2.0 sacks, three pass breakups, and forced a fumble. Additionally, Adrian Maddox was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the top freshman in FCS.
The special teams were just as impressive as the Hornets averaged a league-best 16.9 yards per return and ranked fifth in kick returns (20.3). Alabama State led teh SWAC and ranked eighth in FCS with five blocked kicks on the season. Punter Aubry Grace ranked sixth in the SWAC, averaging 39.5 yards per. Robert McMinn averaged 24.3 yards per return (5th SWAC) and Santo Dunn followed with a 23.1 yard per kickoff return (6th SWAC).
He helped the Hornets defense hold opponents to 140.8 yards rushing and 184.8 yards passing, while also helping a defense hold opponents to 17 points or less twice in just five games.
Gresham was instrumental in helping to recruit one of the top FCS
HBCU classes in 2018 - including the early signing period in 2017. The class was the first full recruiting class in the last two years. He was also instrumental in Alabama State earning the top recruiting class in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 2019.
Prior to coming to Alabama State, Gresham served as the head football coach at Carver Senior High School in Montgomery where he helped Carver to a 5-6 regular season record and a 4-2 region mark in 2016. Also, he guided Carver to a third-place finish in the regional and led the team to the first round of the state playoffs. His biggest achievement that season was becoming an assistant coach for the Under Armour All-American Football Game.
In 2013, he helped Carver to an 8-2 regular season record and a 5-2 region mark, along with a sixth consecutive city championship. Carver finished that season at 10-3 overall and a state quarterfinal appearance. Carver played in one national televised game on CSS Sports. Gresham was named the Montgomery Advertiser 5A-6A Coach of the Year. During the 2012 season, Gresham led Carver to a 9-1 regular season and a 6-1 region mark. Carver finished at 12-2 overall and a state semifinals appearance. Carver played in two national televised games on ESPN and CSS Sports.
Before becoming the head coach, Gresham served as an assistant coach at Carver High School in 2008-2010 where he was the special teams coordinator and defensive coordinator.
Prior to his nine years at Carver, Gresham was an assistant coach at Kendrick High School in Columbus, Ga., where he was the linebackers coach.
Gresham is no stranger to Alabama State University, having played for the Hornets from 2001-2005. While at Alabama State, Gresham was a four-year letter winner at linebacker and started three seasons at the middle linebacker position. He helped lead Alabama State to a SWAC Championship game berth in 2001 and 2003 and was an instrumental player on the 2004 SWAC Championship team. His accolades included All-SWAC performance in 2004 and 2005. A All-SWAC Preseason selection and Defensive Player of the Year honoree in 2005, Gresham earned Sheridan Broadcast Second Team All-American honors in 2005.
Prior to attending Alabama State, Gresham played high school football at Sidney Lanier where he was a three-year letter winner at outside linebacker and safety. He was among the players to lead Lanier to its first semifinals appearance in more than a decade in 1999. He earned Honorable Mention All-Metro as a junior and First Team All-State and All-Metro as a senior.
Gresham is a member of Omega Psi Phi, the Alabama Football Coaches Association, American Football Coaches Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Gresham is married wife
Nakia and they have four children together – Devin, Jada, Carter and Harper.
