Ron Middleton - Tight Ends/Special Teams

Ron Middleton joined the Alabama coaching staff in January, 2007, after spending the last three seasons as the tight ends and assistant special teams coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under head coach Jon Gruden.

A native of Atmore, Ala., and a former standout player at Auburn, Middleton joined the Buccaneers following five seasons (1999-2003) at the University of Mississippi, where he served as running backs/special teams coordinator in 2002-03. He originally joined the Rebels as tight ends coach in 1999 and served in that capacity for three seasons. Middleton was also a member of the Buccaneers’ training camp coaching staff in 2003 as a part of the NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship Program.

While at Ole Miss, Middleton helped guide the Rebels to four bowl games and also tutored 2003 Lou Groza Award winner place kicker Jonathan Nichols, who set 15 school records and earned All-SEC recognition. Nichols connected on 24-of-28 FG attempts and all 45 extra point attempts on his way to setting a school record with 117 points scored in 2003.

Led by Middleton, Rebels junior punter Cody Ridgeway (son of former UA kicker Danny Ridgeway) also received second team All-SEC honors in 2003. In addition, Ole Miss led the SEC in kickoff returns, averaging 23.7 yards per return; field goals (25-29 for .862 percentage); and PAT kicking (49-49 for 1.000 percentage) in 2003. The Rebels also ranked third in the SEC in punting (42.9 avg.) and tied for first in net punting (39.0 avg.).

Prior to his stint at Ole Miss, Middleton coached tight ends, offensive tackles and special teams at Troy State from 1997-98. He also spent time in the private business sector as the vice president of American Communications before his time at Troy State.

Middleton graduated from Auburn University in 1985 with a degree in Pre-Law/History and received his Master’s of Education degree in sports and fitness management from Troy State in 1998. While at Auburn, Middleton was named to the Dean’s Academic Honor Roll several times and was voted the Tigers’ Offensive Most Valuable Player in 1984 and 1985.

He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Atlanta in 1986, playing two seasons with the Falcons before spending the 1988 season with the Washington Redskins. In 1989, Middleton helped lead the Cleveland Browns to the AFC championship game. He returned to the Redskins in 1990 and spent four seasons there, helping guide Washington to a 37-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. Middleton closed out his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers in 1995, after spending the 1994 season with the Los Angeles Rams.

In 2006, Middleton was selected by Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden to attend the NFL’s Coaches Career Development Symposium. Middleton joined several other Buccaneers coaches to host the 2004 High School Coaching Academy in conjunction with the National Football Foundation. The academy is a one-day, hands-on clinic designed to elevate the quality of football coaching at the high school level.

Playing Experience:

Played tight end at Auburn University (1982-85)

Bowl Participation as a Player:

1982 Tangerine Bowl

1984 Sugar Bowl

1984 Liberty Bowl

1986 Cotton Bowl

Bowl Participation as a Coach:

1999 Independence Bowl

2000 Music City Bowl

2002 Independence Bowl

2004 Cotton Bowl

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law/History from Auburn University (1985)

Master’s degree in Sports Management from Troy University (1998)

Coaching Experience:

1997-98

Troy State University, Offensive Tackles Coach/Special Teams Coordinator

1999-2001

University of Mississippi,Tight Ends Coach

2002-03

University of Mississippi, Running Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator

2004-06

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tight Ends Coach/Assistant Special Teams Coach