UWA hires Pinilla as defensive line coach

LIVINGSTON – Roberto Pinilla has been named defensive line coach at the University of West Alabama, according to an announcement today by head coach Brett Gilliland. Pinilla will begin his duties immediately.

Pinilla comes to UWA from Bridgewater College in Virginia, where he served in the same capacity the last two seasons.

“We are extremely excited to have Roberto join the UWA family,” Gilliland said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge of college football, recruiting and defensive line play to our program.”

Prior to his stint at Bridgewater, Pinilla coached the defensive line at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. Before coming to Presbyterian, Pinilla served as the defensive line coach at Furman for four seasons and The Citadel for four years.

“Roberto is a great teacher and communicator,” Gilliland said. “He will bring excitement and enthusiasm into our program daily.”

Pinilla coached defensive linemen at his alma mater, West Georgia, on two occasions and also at East Tennessee State (1999-01). He was a graduate assistant at UWG from 1997-98 and a full-time assistant in 1998, 1999 and 2002.

He was team captain as a player for the Wolves, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics in 1997. Pinilla lettered four seasons and was a three-year starter for West Georgia, helping lead UWG to its first-ever NCAA Division II Playoffs appearance. He finished his playing career as the West Georgia career leader in games started (35) and tackles by a defensive lineman (167).

A native of Panama, Pinilla and his wife Dominique are the parents of two sons, Lincoln and Mason.