Damon Cogdell joined the Alabama Staff in January 2019, beginning his first year as the outside linebackers coach and pro liaison.
He served as an assistant defensive line coach during 2017 – 2018 football seasons at University of South Florida (USF), Tampa Florida. The team advanced to and won Birmingham Bowl 2017 and played in Sun Belt Bowl 2018.
Previously, Cogdell joined Miami Carol City’s High School football program as an associate head football coach and defensive coordinator in 2016. Although Cogdell was part of the program for only one football season, he was highly recognized for preparing and advancing the team through playoffs and ultimately winning the 2016 state championship. And this was Carol City’s first state championship win since 2003. During Cogdell’s tenure, Carol City’s defense became one of the stingiest in the state at giving up yards and points under the direction of Cogdell, according to multiple news sources.
Also, Cogdell served as an assistant defensive line coach during 2014 and 2015 football seasons at West Virginia University (WVU). During his tenure, the defense improved year over year. Both years the team advanced to a bowl game, winning the Cactus Bowl game in 2015.
From 2002 – 2013, he held various coaching and teaching positions at Miramar High School in Miramar, Florida including 3 years as athletic director and 7 years as head football coach.
Cogdell is the father of two daughters, Destanie and Amaya, and a 9 year old son, Damon Jr. He grew up in South Florida and played football year-round since he was eight years old. And he excelled as a football player and team leader throughout his young adult life. Cogdell attended West Virginia University on a full athletic scholarship to begin fulfilling his academic and professional football aspirations. Like many young athletes, he grew up with the dream of playing in the NFL and admits that he was confident that he would be “at the top of the pack” heading into the 1999 National Football League draft.
At WVU, he was ‘on top’ of his game. He immediately won a starting linebacker position and was recognized as a motivator and team leader; his teammates nicknamed him as the ‘Cog’ in the defense. And going into his junior year, he was the fifth-ranked linebacker in the nation and was featured in ESPN Sports Magazine.
As the future looked bright for an NFL career, Cogdell sustained a non-contact hip injury while playing against Syracuse University during the latter part of his junior year. This presented a major turning point in his life along with his NFL aspirations. Although he returned to the football field in his senior year and had numerous NFL workouts, he was not drafted. Still determined, he joined the Canadian Football League in 2000 and played as a starting linebacker; and that year his team was awarded the Grey Cup Championship which is similar to the Super Bowl. Because of his hip injury, Cogdell only played for two seasons.
From a dream to reality, a new passion began to evolve and Cogdell never looked back. With a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education, he began his teaching and coaching career in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2002, he was awarded Assistant Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association. During his tenure, the team went to the state playoffs for the first time with a 10-0 record.
