Osita Alaribe is in his second season as the defensive coordinator at Alabama State after joining the staff last season.
Under Alaribe last season, the Hornets finished atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in both scoring defense and total defense. The Hornets allowed 18.0 points per game and allowed opposing teams 303.5 yards per game of total offense. The defense held opponents to just 155.64 yards through the air. They also forced 24 turnovers (13 fumbles and 11 interceptions), including returning two interceptions and a fumble for touchdowns. The Hornets also sacked the opposing team’s quarterback 21 times.
Alabama State had one player named all-conference, Ronnie Scott, at the conclusion of the season; while having a pair of players play in postseason contests.
Prior to coming to Alabama State, Alaribe spent eight years at Tennessee State. While at Tennessee State, Alaribe coached the defensive line (2009-16), was the recruiting coordinator (2010-14) and co-defensive coordinator (2011-14). He spent the 2015-16 season as the Defensive Coordinator for the Tigers.
The 2013 season proved to be one of the best defensive years in Tennessee State history. The Tigers defense ranked first in the country in Total Defense for eight straight weeks, finally finishing at sixth in the nation. In Scoring Defense they finished 7th in the nation and in Opponents 3rd Down Conversions the Tigers ranked third in the nation. The Tigers stout defense was ranked tops in every major defensive category in the OVC which helped produce a 10-4 record and first playoff appearance since 1999.
The defense was led by junior defensive end Anthony Bass that was named OVC Defensive Player of the Year, FCS All-American and 1st Team All-OVC. Bass finished with 10 sacks and 14.5 TFL’s. Another defensive lineman that was mentored by Alaribe was three time All-OVC senior defensive end Antonio Harper who finished with 7 sacks and 13 TFL’s. The defense finished with (37) total sacks for the season which ranks 21st in the nation and (111) tackles for loss with ranked fifth in the nation.
In 2012, Alaribe helped develop a Tigers defense that ranked first in Total Defense only giving up 361.6 yards per game and ranked second in Scoring Defense allowing 22.8 points per game. Alaribe also was selected to participate in the Bill Walsh NFL Internship with the Oakland Raiders for their 2012 fall training camp.
In 2011, Alaribe helped develop a Tigers defense that only allowed 150.6 rushing yards per game and was ranked second in conference. The Tigers were also ranked 22nd in the nation and first in the OVC in total sacks.
As recruiting coordinator, Alaribe helped produce the top-ranked 2012 and 2013 recruiting classes and the third-ranked 2011 class among FCS HBCU’s according to BOXTOROW’s annual rankings.
Alaribe arrived at Tennessee State after a three-year term as the defensive line and outside linebackers coach with Ouachita Baptist University.
While at Ouachita Baptist, Alaribe tutored two all-conference players and was part of a team that had its first winning season in 25 years.
Before Ouachita Baptist, Alaribe spent two seasons as defensive line coach at Dudley High School in Greensboro, N.C. help winning the Eastern North Carolina Division Championship leading to the North Carolina 3AA State Championship.
The Raleigh (N.C.) native played collegiately at North Carolina A&T State University as a defensive lineman and was a team captain. He helped lead the Aggies to two MEAC Championship titles (1999 and 2003) and one HBCU National Championship (1999).
Alaribe earned his bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and Mass Communication from NCA&T in 2004 before receiving his master’s degree in Sports Administration from Henderson State in 2008.
He and his wife, Uzo, have two daughter, Ogechi and Oluchi, and the family resides in Montgomery.
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