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Atmore native and New York Jets tight ends coach Ron Middleton was tabbed to lead the National team in this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile.

Middleton was selected by Jets head coach Robert Saleh, according to reports.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell selected assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley to serve as the head coach for the American team.

The 73rd annual Reese’s Senior Bowl will be played this Sat., Feb. 5, 2022, at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama.

This marks the first time in the game’s rich history where head coaches will serve in more an advisory capacity while promoting assistants into expanded leadership roles on the staff, according to the New York Jets’ website.

“I want to start by thanking Jim Nagy and the Senior Bowl for the change this year allowing an assistant to work as the head coach down in Mobile,” said Middleton, who served as interim head coach for the Jets in the week 16 victory over the Jaguars in 2021. “I also can’t say enough about Robert Saleh for the opportunity to serve as an acting head coach during the season and certainly for this chance now.”