Rodney Bivens enters his sixth season with the Golden Bears. He will coach wide receivers for the fourth consecutive season after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2015. Prior to Miles, he served five years as receivers coach at Tuskegee. He has more than 28 years of coaching experience at the high school and college level. In 2018, Bivens was instrumental in growth of wide receiver Leonard Tyree, who was named First Team All-SIAC.
Prior to Tuskegee, Bivens worked at Birmingham Southern College. From 2003-2006, he served as a receivers coach for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He had NFL coaching internships with the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 and the Tennessee Titans in 2007. Before moving up to the collegiate ranks, Bivens spent 22 years in the high school ranks with stops at Central High in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Newnan High in Newnan, Georgia, Anniston High in Anniston, Alabama, Bradshaw High in Florence, Alabama, and Shades Valley High in Birmingham, Alabama.
Bivens served as Head Coach at Anniston High School from 1992-99, after previously serving as the Defensive Coordinator from 1988-92. He helped the Bulldogs to a 13-2 record and the AHSAA 6A State title in 1994.
As a high school coach, Bivens saw 25 prospects attend Division I colleges and coached three First-Team All-Conference-USA selections, including All-American receiver Roddy White, while on the UAB staff. White had 1,452 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2004 and was drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons.
Bivens graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1980 and later earned his Master’s in Physical Education from UNA in 1985.
Bivens is married (Diane) and they have seven children; Rico Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Candice, MeConya, Rodney Jr., Isaac, and Elaine.
