Alabama State University Athletics

Ronnie Scott is in his third season as the safeties coach and his first as the special teams coordinator on the Alabama State football staff.

In 2025, the Hornets ranked in the top three in six defensive categories. ASU led the SWAC in interceptions (15/7th NCAA) and turnovers gained (21/17th NCAA) while ranking second in pass yards allowed (180.5/17th NCAA), red zone defense (79.5/42nd NCAA), and pass efficiency defense (117,65/11th NCAA), and third in scoring defense (21.4)

The Hornets' special teams led the SWAC in block kicks (7/2nd NCAA), blocked kicks allowed (0/1st NCAA), and blocked punts (2/11th NCAA) and were second in net punting (37.03). ASU made 14-of-17 field goals, ranking second in field goals made.

Individually, Nehemiah Hixon ranked 4th in the SWAC in kick return yards (501), and Harrison Tuck was 4th in punting average (41.9). Abu-Akel,Andrew made 9-of-11 field goals, ranking fourth with an 81.8 field goal percentage, while Brandon Gilliam made 5-of-6 attempts, ranking 2nd in field goal percentage (83.3). 

Additionally, Hixon and Garrett Wilemon earned All-SWAC honors on special teams.

In 2024, the Alabama State 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 Defense 265.0 (1/3) | Rush Defense 105.9 (1/9) | Scoring 16.7 (1/5) | Interceptions 15 (1/9) | Fumbles Forced 16 (1) | Turnovers Gained 27 (1/7) | Fewest First Downs 180 (1/6) | Turnover Margin .75 (1/5) | Sacks 39 (1) | Tackles for Loss 7.3/gm (2/8) | Passing Yards Allowed 159.1 (2/7) | Fumbles Recovered 10 (3/12). The Panama City, Penn., native previously spent one season at Highland Community College as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. 

Additionally, safeties Keane Lewis and Amon Scarbrough garnered All-SWAC defensive honors in 2024.

Prior to Highland, Scott served a role as defensive graduate assistant at Alabama State University, where he worked with the defensive backs.

Previously, Scott served as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach for Strawberry Crest High School in Dover (Fla.). While there, he helped the team to a 5-5 record, their best record in school history, and his returners averaged 25 yards per punt return (2021).

Prior to coaching, Scott played two years at Alabama State and was a two-year starter and captain for the Hornets (2016-17). He was named Magic City Classic MVP and voted First Team All-SWAC in 2017, before signing with the Tampa Bay Tornaods of the AAL. While there, he led the team in interceptions and was the defensive leader in touchdowns scored.