Callaway Completes Blazer Football Staff

UAB head football coach Neil Callaway has put the finishing touches on his first coaching staff with the hiring of offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Kim Helton. Helton was the head coach of the University of Houston Cougars from 1993 to 1999. Coach Callaway was the offensive coordinator for Helton at Houston. They have now reversed their roles at UAB. Most recently Helton worked for Steve Spurrier and the Washington Redskins in 2002 and 2003. Helton was also involved with the rebuilding of the University of Miami, as he was offensive coordinator for Howard Schnellenberger from 1979 to 1982. While at Miami, Helton worked with legendary quarterbacks Jim Kelly and Vinnie Testaverde.

Coach Callaway's staff has a strong SEC flavor with former Alabama offensive lineman (1993-1996) Will Friend coaching the offensive line, former Alabama wide receiver (1996-1999) Tim Bowens coaching the wide receivers and former Alabama strength and conditioning coach Steve Martin (1983-1985) in charge of UAB's strength and conditioning program.

UAB has suffered on the defensive side of the ball since Bill Clay departed in 2001 to accept a similar position at Oklahoma State. The man charged with rebuilding the UAB “Steel Shield” will be defensive coordinator Eric Schumann (Alabama 1973-1977), who was a defensive back for Paul “Bear” Bryant and a teammate of Neil Callaway. Schuman had a nice run as defensive coordinator for SMU. The Mustangs led the WAC in defense in 2001 and were the 22nd best defense in the nation that same year.

Corey Barlow was a defensive back for Auburn in the early 1990's. Barlow won four letters at Auburn and earned All-SEC honors in 1990 and 1991. He was named All-America in 1991 and was named to Auburn's All-Decade (1990s) Team. Coach Barlow played in the NFL for three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Barlow will recruit the Atlanta area for UAB and coach cornerbacks.

Lorenzo Constantini will coach the defensive line for UAB. Constantini has extensive experience coaching in C-USA for Tulane, UCF and UTEP. Constantini was a starter at defensive tackle for UTEP from 1986-1990.

The staff is rounded out by Steve Davenport coaching the running backs, Tyson Summers coaching the linebackers, Tyson Helton coaching the quarterbacks and Ervin Lewis serving as Director of Football Operations.

Davenport played wide receiver for Georgia Tech and has extensive experience as a high school coach in Georgia. Davenport was the Georgia Class AA State coach of the year in 2003. S

Summers played football for Presbyterian College and has coached at Georgia Southern and the University of Georgia.

Helton is the son of offensive coordinator Kim Helton and a 1999 graduate of The University of Houston. Helton did a great job for June Jones at Hawaii from 2000 - 2003 and Tommy West at Memphis from 2004-2006.

The bottom line is that Coach Callaway has put together a nice mix of young energetic coaches and veteran experienced coaches from SEC programs with winning traditions. This should pay dividends for UAB in terms of recruiting and establishing a winning tradition.