Alex Bailey joined Vanderbilt in 2022 after a one-year stop at Colorado State preceded by six seasons at Ball State. Before coaching receivers at Colorado State, he also coached receivers and served as recruiting coordinator for the Cardinals. Bailey was elevated to pass game coordinator in 2025.
In 2024, Quincy Skinner Jr. and Junior Sherrill paced the receivers as Vanderbilt had its first winning season and first bowl win in over a decade. Sherrill built on a stellar freshman campaign to produce 29 catches for 411 yards and three touchdowns during his sophomore year, while Skinner capped his career by matching Sherrill’s reception and touchdown numbers, accumulating 367 yards.
Richie Hoskins, a former walk-on voted a team captain in 2024, continued to develop, as well. Hoskins had 11 receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He was named Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week after scoring in Vandy’s win at Kentucky. Off the field, Hoskins was voted Academic All-District and was the team’s nominee for the Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works Team.
The 2023 campaign saw Bailey lead a dynamic receiver room that saw four Commodores (Will Sheppard, London Humphreys, Jayden McGowan and Sherrill) all rank among the SEC’s top 50 in receiving yards. Sheppard capped his career among the school’s all-time leaders in receiving yards (seventh) and receiving touchdowns (third) and was a third-team All-SEC pick by College Football Network. Sherill and Humphreys paired to give Vanderbilt its fair pair of freshmen with at least three receiving touchdowns each since 2008.
In his first season at Vanderbilt, Bailey helped Sheppard and McGowan produce breakout years in 2022. Sheppard had 60 receptions for 776 yards and nine touchdowns, finishing second in the SEC in receiving scores. McGowan played in all 12 games as a true freshman, making 44 catches for 453 yards and three touchdowns. He had a catch in all but one game on the year.
During Bailey’s time at Ball State, Justin Hall was named an All-MAC receiver for four consecutive years and finished his career as the nation’s active leader in career receptions. Bailey also mentored KeVonn Mabon and Jordan Willians, who finished third and fourth, respectively, in career receiving yards at Ball State.
His final season in Muncie, Indiana, saw the Cardinals win the Mid-American Conference for the first time since 1996, win their first bowl game in school history and finish the season ranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls for the first time ever.
A product of East High School in Columbus, Ohio, Bailey played receiver at Youngstown State and earned his degree in exercise science from YSU in 2007. He has also earned a master’s in education/sport science from Defiance. Bailey and his wife, Melissa, have four children — Dash, Hitter, Navy and Mercy.
The Bailey File
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
High School: East
College: Youngstown State (exercise science, 2007), Defiance (master’s in education/sport science, 2009)
Wife: Melissa
Children: Dash, Hitter, Navy and Mercy
Playing Career
2001-03 • Youngstown State (wide receiver)
Coaching Career
2007 • Defiance • Wide Receivers
2008 • Defiance • Wide Receivers
2009 • Defiance • Wide Receivers
2010 • Dayton • Wide Receivers
2011 • Dayton • Wide Receivers
2012 • Valparaiso • Wide Receivers and Passing Game Coordinator
2013 • Valparaiso • Wide Receivers and Passing Game Coordinator
2014 • Wayne State • Wide Receivers
2015 • Ball State • Wide Receivers
2016 • Ball State • Wide Receivers
2017 • Ball State • Wide Receivers
2018 • Ball State • Wide Receivers
2019 • Ball State • Wide Receivers
2020 • Ball State • Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
2021 • Colorado State • Wide Receivers
2022 • Vanderbilt • Wide Receivers
2023 • Vanderbilt • Wide Receivers
2024 • Vanderbilt • Wide Receivers
Postseason Experience
2020 • Ball State • Arizona Bowl Champions
2024 • Vanderbilt • Birmingham Bowl Champions