Bentley Promotes Former NFL Assistant Alvin Reynolds to Head Football Coach

Alvin Reynolds, a longtime NFL assistant who has been part of the Bentley University football coaching staff since 2018, has been promoted to head football coach, Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams announced. 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 defensive coordinator the last two years. “It’s one I’ve been preparing myself for since I started coaching in 1983,” he said, adding that he feels thankful to be “a part of the Bentley family” and aims to “continue to build on our previous success.”  

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 opponents to 21.2 points and 329.1 yards per game.  

“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 help our student-athletes to be the best that they can be.”

Reynolds will be the first African American head coach in Bentley history as well as one of only two active Black head football coaches in New England. 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, 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 advancing diversity and inclusion in Bentley culture.  

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). 

Reynolds’ coaching resume also includes time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Reynolds was a standout strong safety at Indiana State from 1978-81; he began his career with the Sycamores, where he progressed from graduate assistant to assistant head coach from 1982-92.   

A native of Pineville, Louisiana, Reynolds received a bachelor’s 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 and Ana Gabriella) and one granddaughter (Ava). 

Bentley will open its 2022 season Sept. 2 at West Chester University.