High-scoring SWAC offense gets experienced HBCU playcaller

Alabama State football has a new offensive leader.

The Hornets announced Thursday the hiring of Tony Hull, who spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator at Arkansas–Pine Bluff, marking another major coaching shift in SWAC football this offseason.

Hull, a familiar name across HBCU coaching circles, brings a proven track record to Montgomery.

While guiding UAPB’s offense, the Golden Lions ranked among the conference’s top units — finishing fifth and ninth in scoring offense and sixth in total offense the last two years. Under his leadership, quarterback Mekhi Hagens ranked second in the SWAC in passing yards per game and third in touchdown passes in 2024.

The season before, Christian Peters placed top five in both categories.

TONY HULL
Photo: Tony Hull

Before arriving in Pine Bluff, Hull served as co-offensive coordinator at Grambling State under Hue Jackson and previously worked with UAPB head coach Alonzo Hampton at Louisiana-Monroe.

Hull now joins Alabama State head coach Eddie Robinson Jr., the SWAC’s longest-tenured coach, as the Hornets look to build on a breakout offensive season.

In 2025, ASU led the SWAC in scoring, total, and passing offense while finishing second in rushing.

Former offensive coordinator Chris Barnette, who helped engineer that success, is expected to take the same position at North Carolina Central University, according to The Montgomery Advertiser.

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