FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reynolds was Bentley's Defensive Coordinator for Past Two Seasons.
WALTHAM, Mass. - Alvin Reynolds, a longtime NFL assistant who has been part of the Bentley football coaching staff since 2018, has been promoted to head football coach, Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams announced Friday. Reynolds becomes the sixth head coach in Bentley football history.
"I'm thrilled and humbled to have this opportunity," said Reynolds, who was Bentley's secondary coach his first two seasons and the defensive coordinator the last two years. "It's one I've been preparing myself for since I started coaching in 1983 and is a natural progression and fit to continue to build on our previous success."
"Coach Reynolds is the perfect man at the right time to lead Bentley football," said Williams. "He has had an amazing career, but more importantly he has impacted countless lives. I'm excited to watch Coach Reynolds serve our student-athletes to be the best that they can be."
Reynolds, who has been the Falcons' interim head coach throughout the spring, helped the 2021 Falcons to a 9-2 record and their first NCAA playoff berth since 2004. Last year's team was fourth in Division II in defensive touchdowns (7) and 20th in turnovers forced (20) while limiting the opponents to 21.2 points and 329.1 yards per game.
"I would like to thank Coach (Bob) DeFelice and Coach (Bill) Kavanaugh, who gave me the chance to become a part of the Bentley University family in 2018," said the new Falcon head coach. "I'd also like to thank Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams and Vice President for Student Affairs Andrew Shepardson for affording me the opportunity to lead the Bentley football program."
Reynolds will be the first African-American head coach in Bentley history as well as only the second active Black head football coach in New England, joining the Coast Guard Academy's C.C. Grant.
In addition to coaching, his time at Bentley has included serving as the athletic department's first Associate Director of Athletic Diversity and Inclusion.
In 2020, in only his second year on the staff, he was named the recipient of Bentley's Dr. Earl L. Avery MLK Leadership Award, which is presented to a member of the Bentley community who has made a positive contribution to the diverse and inclusive culture Bentley strives to create.
Reynolds came to Bentley with a lengthy coaching resume that included both NFL and college experience. His 19 years in the NFL included time with the Denver Broncos (1993-95, defensive assistant), Baltimore Ravens (1996-98, secondary), Carolina Panthers (1999-2002, defensive assistant), Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-07, defensive backs) and Atlanta Falcons (2008-11, defensive backs).
During those years, Reynolds coached under such luminaries as Wade Phillips, Marvin Lewis, Ted Marchibroda, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, Jack Del Rio, John Fox and Mike Smith.
"I had the chance to observe and learn from these outstanding coaches, always looking to better myself," said Reynolds.
Athletes he worked with included Hall of Famers Steve Atwater and Rod Woodson; Pro Bowlers Stevon Moore, Eric Turner, Brent Grimes, Lawyer Molloy, Dennis Smith and Rashean Mathis; and longtime Jaguar Donovin Darius.
Five of his last six NFL seasons resulted in double-digit wins.
Reynolds began his coaching career at his alma mater, Indiana State, where he progressed from a graduate assistant to assistant head coach. He was with the Sycamores from 1982-92 before shifting to the NFL. Reynolds' coaching resume also includes time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL and five years coaching experience alongside other prominent NFL coaches that develop top college prospects for Rivals and Under Armour All-American Camps.
Reynolds was a standout strong safety at Indiana State from 1978-81 and totaled 225 career tackles, 21 passes defensed, five fumble recoveries and five interceptions. He became the first Sycamore player to receive a vote for the Heisman, receiving two in 1981.
A native of Pineville, La., Reynolds received a degree in business management from Indiana State in 1982 and a Master's in political science from the school in 1990. He has three children (Alvin Jr., Isabella, Ana Gabriella) and one granddaughter (Ava).
Bentley will open its 2022 season September 2 at West Chester University.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
Tony Dungy, NBC Football Analyst and Super Bowl-Winning Coach
"I am very excited for Alvin Reynolds and Bentley University. Coach Reynolds has a wealth of experience in college football and professional football and he has a great way of getting that knowledge across to his players. Not only that, but he is a great person as well, a true man of God who will have a positive impact on everyone in the Bentley University football program."
Leslie Frazier, former Minnesota Vikings head coach and current Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator/assistant head coach
"I met Alvin when we were out recruiting over 30 years ago. He was at Indiana State and I was at a small school in the Chicago area. Alvin is a tremendous human being and a terrific person with integrity. He has the willingness to lead and leads with a servant attitude. He doesn't talk down to the players, he talks to them. He's a genuine person who lets you see he's real. You want to trust your son or daughter to him. I'm happy for him and Bentley."
Steve Atwater, Pro Football Hall of Famer
"Alvin is a very professional coach, very detailed oriented. He wants you to not only be the best player you can be, but the best person. When he came to Denver, we hit it right off. He would see things on film that I was doing wrong and would create new drills to help me get better. Alvin had a lasting impact on me. Even though it's been many years since he coached me, we still stay in touch. He's going to do some great things at Bentley."
-Release provided by Bentley athletic communications-
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