Al Pogue Returns to Troy Football Coaching Staff

TROY, Ala. – Al Pogue, who spent five years as a Troy assistant from 2014-18, returns to the Trojans' coaching staff following stops at Auburn and West Virginia, Troy head coach Chip Lindsey announced Wednesday.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Al and his family back to Troy," Lindsey said. "He recruited and coached a lot of the guys in the cornerback room so there is already a great deal of familiarity and comfort built up between him and his players. Al's personality is infectious, and he will bring an energy and passion to our football program. He is well respected across the state of Alabama and is a tremendous football coach and recruiter."

With his return to Troy, Pogue is the only Trojan assistant to coach with Troy's last three head coaches – Larry Blakeney, Neal Brown and Chip Lindsey.

"I am thankful to Coach Lindsey for the opportunity to return to the place that gave me my first full time coaching opportunity at the FBS level," Pogue said. "The staff, players, the support system and community have all welcomed me and my family back with open arms, and that love was well received. I look forward to bringing great energy every day, using my influence in a positive manner and helping Troy get back to consistently competing for championships every year."

During a three-year window from 2016-18, Pogue helped a Troy defense allow 20.8 points per game, ranking fourth nationally among Group of 5 Five Conference schools. During his final four years, the Trojans were second nationally among FBS schools in takeaways (106) and tied for seventh nationally with 63 interceptions.

In 2018, Troy's defense gave up 22.0 points per game, ranking 28^th nationally and third nationally in turnovers gained (31), fifth in interceptions (18) and fumbles recovered (13), and 11^th in turnover margin (0.77). Troy also led the Sun Belt Conference in sacks, interceptions, turnovers, red zone defense and second in rushing defense, total defense and third in scoring defense.

The Trojans led the nation in red zone defense in 2017 as the Trojans set a school record for wins, won the Sun Belt Championship and ended LSU's 49-game non-conference home winning streak. Troy was third in tackles for loss (8.6), seventh in sacks (3.23) and rushing defense (105.7). The Trojans ranked fifth nationally in interceptions (17), sixth in turnovers gained (26) and 26th in turnover margin (0.54).

The 2016 Trojans posted a 10-3 record and earned a victory in the Dollar General Bowl, the first top-25 ranking in school and conference history and tied for the best win-improvement in the country.

Troy finished second nationally in passes intercepted, fourth in turnovers forced, ninth in passes defended per game (5.9), 17^th in rushing defense, 21^st in scoring defense (22.1) and 28^th in third-down defense.

The 2015 defense finished with the second-best turnaround nationally in opponent third-down percentage, fourth-best turnaround in yards per play allowed, fifth-best improvement in tackles for loss and 16^th-best improvement in total defense.

Troy scored five defensive touchdowns, third-most in the country and most by a Trojan team since 2004 and finished fifth in the nation with 13 fumble recoveries. Troy forced 16 turnovers over the final six games of the season after registering just three in the first six games.

In 2014, the Trojans finished with 11 interceptions, most by a Troy team since 2010 and improved its pass defense by 105.7 yards per game from the previous season.

In his second stint at Auburn, Pogue coached the Tigers' outside linebackers during the 2020 season. Under his guidance, Zakoby McClain tied with Troy's Carlton Martial as the nation's top tackler with 113 for the season.

Pogue joined Brown's first staff at West Virginia in 2019 and coached the outside linebackers. Josh Chandler earned All-Big 12 honors in his lone season working with Pogue.

Prior to his first stint at Troy, Pogue spent three years at Auburn as the offensive quality control coach (2011), special teams quality control coach (2012) and director of high school relations (2013).

While Pogue was with the Tigers the first time, Auburn played in the 2013 BCS National Championship game, won the 2013 SEC Championship and won the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Pogue spent six years as a high school head coach at Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama, from 2008-10, St. Jude High School in Montgomery from 2006-07 and at Calhoun High School in Montgomery in 2002. He oversaw Carver's first undefeated season in 2008.

Pogue was a three-year starter as a safety and cornerback at Alabama State from 1993-96, earning All-America and All-SWAC honors at free safety.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Pogue earned his bachelor's degree in special education from Alabama State in 1998. He, and his wife, Nikita, also an Alabama State alum, have two children, Allison and Nasir.

Troy University Athletics

Al Pogue Returns to Troy Football Coaching Staff

Players Mentioned

Carlton Martial

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