“I love football. I mean, I love it. It’s been good to me.”
— Ulysses Hall, 26:53
Ulysses Hall didn’t start his coaching journey with fanfare or connections. He started with in-school suspension students during the day and outside linebackers in the afternoon. Today, he’s helping shape recruiting at the FBS level with Georgia Southern. His climb—from middle school football fields to Division I meeting rooms—proves what’s possible when belief, grit, and relationships stay at the center of the journey.
A Coaching Journey Built on People, Not Titles
After graduating from Shaw University, Hall didn’t head straight into coaching. He considered journalism, weighed his options, and took a chance helping out at Wilbert Academy in Georgia. That volunteer gig with an eighth-grade team opened the door. He moved up to varsity by the end of the season. When no full-time spot followed, he shifted to Centennial High School as a paraprofessional.
“I was a paraprofessional working with ISS students during the day and coaching outside linebackers, defensive ends in the afternoon.”
— Ulysses Hall, 3:19
That early stretch forced Hall to learn fast. He didn’t just coach—he built trust, handled classroom behavior, and took on whatever needed doing. By the time he landed at Decatur High School, he was calling plays and hosting recruits. In 2015, he applied to the AFCA’s 30 Under 30 program. Unsure of how he stacked up, he applied anyway. He got in—and everything changed.
Earning Every Inch, One Stop at a Time
After AFCA, Hall entered a new phase. He took jobs wherever he could make an impact: Ohio Wesleyan, Trinity International, Briar Cliff, Alderson Broaddus, John Carroll. At each school, he wore every hat—coaching, compliance, travel, recruiting—whatever it took.
He anchored himself with a personal philosophy he calls “HIS Way”: Honor, Integrity, and Service. Those values guided him through the chaos.
“The honorable thing for me is I think about if I’m doing this with my mother or with my grandmother—would they approve of this?”
— Ulysses Hall, 12:25
Even during a brief NFL internship with the Washington Commanders, Hall stayed focused on learning. Eric Bieniemy’s offensive meetings gave him a fresh view of the game—one he soaked up completely.
Then came a call from Georgia Southern. It wasn’t a flashy résumé that earned him the offer. It was trust, built the right way.
“Coach Helton said, ‘You’re my guy.’”
Since July 4th of last year, Hall has served as the program’s Director of Player and Recruiting Relations.
More Than Football: Hall’s Real Mission
Now at the FBS level, Hall hasn’t changed his approach. He still leads with care. He sees players as people first—and believes that mindset makes all the difference.
“It can’t be transactional. These are people before they’re football players.”
— Ulysses Hall, 22:25
Players call him after graduation, not because of the stats they piled up, but because they trust him. That, to Hall, is the real scoreboard. He measures success by the men his players become—not just the wins they earn.
His message to young coaches cuts through the noise: know who you are, lean on the people who love you, and never forget why you started.
Conclusion: The Climb Is the Calling
Hall’s journey didn’t rely on luck or shortcuts. He built it from the bottom up—with values that didn’t change, even when his zip code did. Coaching, to him, remains a calling—not a job.
So for every coach grinding through long days, small paychecks, and quiet nights wondering if it’s worth it—Hall’s story answers loud and clear: keep going. The climb is the calling.
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