Darrin Hayes Position: Defensive Coordinator/DB Coach

Darrin Hayes is in his fourth season as Defensive Coordinator and defensive backs coach at Jackson State. In 2008 JSU's defense was ranked second in the SWAC in total defense (238.5 yards/game), rushing defense (76.5 yards/game), pass defense (162 yards/game) and fourth in scoring defense (20.7 points/game). Nationally, JSU's defense was second in total defense and tackles for loss, fourth in sacks and fifth in rushing defense.

In 2007 the JSU defense was ranked in the top three in five SWAC defensive categories. JSU was ranked No. 1 in rushing defense (82.2 yards/game) and total defense (282.2 yards/game). The Tigers were second in sacks (37 for 272 yard) and third in pass defense efficiency (106.3) and red zone defense (65.9 %). Nationally, JSU was ranked No. 5 in rushing defense and No. 8 in total defense. JSU defensive back, Domonique Johnson was named the Defensive MVP of the 2007 SWAC Championship game.

In 2006 Hayes' defensive unit was ranked No, 1 the SWAC in rushing defense and was No. 7 in the NCAA. The Tigers were also No. 16 in the NCAA in total defense.

At JSU Hayes has coached three All-Americans, SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and has had two players sign with NFL teams (Marcus Beard with Cleveland and Domonique Johnson with Denver).

Hayes came to JSU from Tuskegee University, where he served as Defensive Coordinator under Rick Comegy. Hayes' unit was the No. 1 defense in the SIAC (third in NCAA) in 2005. His defense was ranked No. 1 in every defensive category in the SIAC. They were No. 1 against the run, the pass, in takeaways and in points allowed.

Hayes is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and is a 1993 graduate of Knoxville College. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Knoxville College and a master of education degree with an emphasis in sports administration.

Before accepting the Defensive Coordinator's position at Tuskegee in 2005, Hayes coached five years at Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. In 2004, Hayes had the No. 1 defense in the SIAC. His secondary was ranked No. 1 in the SIAC and his total defense has been in the top five of the NCAA four of the last five of those years. He has coached six All-Americans in his coaching tenure.

Hayes served as Lane's Defensive Coordinator for three years (2000-2002) before being elevated to the head coaching position in 2003. Hayes had been a head coach for two (1997-1998) seasons with the Knoxville Crusaders, a semi-pro team in Knoxville, Tenn. There, he had a two-year record of 22-4 and a division championship, and the No. 1 defense in the 32 team IFL. He also had one year stints with the NFL - Europe's Barcelona Dragons, Barcelona, Spain (1999) and Aux En Argonauts, Aux En, France, where he served as defensive backs coach in 1996.

Hayes' first coaching experience came at his alma mater, Knoxville College (1993-94), serving his first year as defensive backs coach and the second year as defensive coordinator, where he had the No. 1 total defense in the nation.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the American Football Coaches Association, the Black Coaches Association, and the Great Light 300 Masonic Lodge.