Photo via NOLA.com

As Tulane University's assistant head coach, offensive line coach and running game coordinator, 2007 U.S. National Team alum Alex Atkins might have the longest job title in college football. It's a conglomeration of responsibility Atkins earned from Green Wave head coach Willie Fritz, who brought him to New Orleans from Georgia Southern.

"It's a testament to Coach Fritz. He really cares about my career and tries to give me everything he believes I deserve," Atkins said. "He says, 'If you're doing all these things, I want people to know that you're doing more than just coaching the O-line, and I want them to know exactly why you're here with me.'"

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After Atkins moved from Chicago to Memphis during high school, his play at Hillcrest High School landed him at UT-Martin, where he learned much from O-line coach Geep Wade. Atkins was a four-year starter, a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree, and as a senior, was part of a 9-3 squad that won the OVC title and appeared in the program's first postseason.

"We won two games the first two years, so it was good to be there for that turnaround," Atkins said. 

After graduation in 2007, Atkins joined the inaugural U.S. National Team, which won the World Cup of American Football in Tokyo.

"I was from Chicago, moved to Tennessee, and I hadn't been outside of those two places, really," Atkins said. "The big thing for me was that opportunity to go abroad, and even training camp in San Jose, because I'd never been to California. It had a big impact on my life, to get out and see new things. It was a blessing."

Atkins (second row, No. 65) helped the U.S. to victories over South Korea, Germany and Japan in 2007. 

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With college in the rearview, Atkins scheduled an exam to become an Illinois state trooper, but UTM coach Jason Simpson – who took over prior to Atkins' final year, and who's now the OVC's longest-tenured coach – asked if he'd thought about coaching. He hadn't, but quickly took the opportunity to do so at his alma mater.

"I thought it'd be cool to do it, and they stuck me in the equipment room as equipment manager that first year," Atkins said. "It was good, to make sure it was what I wanted to do, without the glitz and glamour."

After coaching tight ends in his second season at UTM, Atkins got a call from fellow '07 National Team member Adam Austin, who was serving as a graduate assistant at Marshall. 

"I'd just started looking for graduate assistant openings, and Adam called and said they had one in O-line," Atkins said. "I'm glad I made that connection with him. He gave me a great recommendation and helped me take that first step in furthering my career."

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Following the 2009 season at Marshall, Atkins had offensive line coaching stints at Itawamba (Mississippi) Community College ('10-'11), Chattanooga ('12-'13) and then Georgia Southern ('14-'15). At GSU, under offensive coordinator Doug Ruse, the Eagles led the nation in 2015 with 363 rushing yards per game and 54 rushing touchdowns, en route to a Sun Belt Conference crown and GoDaddy.com Bowl triumph.

The staff then moved to Tulane with Fritz. The Green Wave went 4-8 in 2016, and 5-7 last season. Now, it's all about taking that next step in the American Athletic Conference. 

Behind Atkins' line, the Tulane running game ranked 20th in the nation with 231.5 yards per game in 2017. (Photo via Tulane Athletics)

"Coach Fritz has implemented his plan everywhere he's been and eventually turned them into winners," Atkins said. "We're just following the plan. We have a lot of returnees and a shot to win some games. The attitude, confidence and work ethic have grown each year."

When it comes to recruiting offensive linemen, Atkins has a few requirements.

"No. 1, toughness and durability. It's a gritty position, and you need guys who can withstand the game," he said. "Then athleticism. I want a guy, that if he weren't bigger, he could play any position in football."

Regardless of what the future holds, Atkins and wife Brittany – who he met when they were students at UT Martin – are enjoying the present in the Crescent City.

"Whatever you're looking for, New Orleans has it," Atkins said. "Whether you're looking to fish and the country life, nightlife, history, food, art, music, it offers it all. "

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