Earnest Hill was named the defensive coordinator/safeties coach for the Warhawks in 2024 after spending two seasons as the stars/nickels coach at UAB.
Hill was selected as a nominee for the 2024 Broyles Award, which is given to college football’s top assistant coach. In his first season leading the ULM defense, Hill improved the Warhawks’ average points allowed total by nearly seven points from the 2023 season and Hill’s defense led the Sun Belt Conference in allowing the fewest average passing yards per game (183.9). The Warhawks scored two defensive touchdowns, which ranked third in the conference.
Four of Hill’s players earned All-Sun Belt accolades including Kevontay Wells being named All-SBC Second Team and the trio of Billy Pullen, Carl Glass Jr., and Wydett Williams earning All-SBC Third Team. Junior defensive back David Godsey Jr. joined the group after racking up All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention. Williams Jr. was voted Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week and became ULM’s first SBC Player of the Week recognition since 2021 after making a game-high 10 tackles and recording an interception. In addition, cornerback Car’lin Vigers signed an undrafted free agent contract with the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
Before his time in Birmingham, Hill served as the running backs coach at South Alabama during the 2021 season. He was the head football coach at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile and guided the team to a 40-8 overall record and a state championship game appearance in his first season. Hill also led Greenville (Ala.) High School and accumulated 19 wins, including an 11-1 season in 2011. Additionally, Hill held the role of defensive coordinator at Handley (Ala.) High School (2001-05), Greenville High School (2006), Spanish Fort (Ala.) High School (2007-10) and Walker (Ala.) High School (2014). In his final season at Spanish Fort, his team captured the state 5A championship and he was named the Alabama Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year.
