Darrin J. Hayes is beginning his 1st season as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, here at Edward Waters University.
He previously served as the Associate Head Coach/Defensive passing game coordinator at division 1 FCS Stetson University. Hayes led the Defensive Secondary to the #1 in the conference and #9 NCAA in pass defense.in 2023. He coached 4 All-Conference players in (Jaylon Johnson, David Stubbs, Davion Maxwell, and Liam Deweese) and 1 All-American (Rassie Littlejohn) in the defensive secondary.
Prior to Stetson University, he previously served as the Defensive Coordinator at Bethune-Cookman University. Hayes brings a wealth of experience to the Defense and has had top ranked defenses throughout his career. He’s been a Defensive Coordinator or Head Coach in 20 of the 28 years he’s coached. Hayes worked closely with the defensive backs unit for the Wildcats the past 8 seasons and has coached 8 all-conference and 3 All-American player’s at BCU.
In 2019 Hayes led the Wildcat secondary to finish #1 in the MEAC and #5 NCAA in defensive Td’s.
In 2018 the Wildcat secondary finished #1 again in interceptions with 16 int’s and 5 going for defensive touchdowns. He coached All-Conference greats in Ty Peters, Trevor Merrett, Kennedy Ndukwe, Marquise Drayton and Diquan Richardson
In 2017, Hayes helped develop ball-hawking safety Diquan Richardson to the All-MEAC First Team defensive selection for the second consecutive year. Richardson finished atop the BCU statistical category for tackles (84) and placed himself seventh overall in the league for that department. The 5-11, 167-pound senior from Allen, South Carolina was instrumental to the Wildcats defensive backfield, finishing fifth in the league for passes defended as he accumulated 12 breakups and a league third-best five interceptions. He picked off a pair of passes in the Florida Blue Florida Classic, allowing BCU to collect its seventh consecutive win against in-state opponent Florida A&M.
Also in 2017, the Wildcat defense led the MEAC in passing yards allowed (161.5) and finished 11th in the FCS. BCU was third in the conference and 12th nationally with a 106.71 defense passing efficiency.
Hayes arrived to BCU in January 2015 and was one of the first two hires by now seventh-year head coach Terry Sims.
Throughout the 2016 season, Hayes oversaw the progression of defensive back and redshirt junior safety Diquan Richardson. Richardson would finish the 2016 slate being named to the First Team All-MEAC defensive team. The junior from Alvin, South Carolina finished the year leading the Wildcats in tackles, accumulating 60 on the campaign. Of his 60 tackles, 30 came by way of primary stop, adding 2.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He finished tied for third in the MEAC for interceptions (4) and tied for fourth in passes defended (6). He also collected one fumble recovery and blocked a punt on special teams.
During his debut season in 2015, senior defensive back Marquis Drayton added to the list of All-MEAC caliber student-athletes as he was tabbed an All-MEAC First Team selection. The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native amassed 37 tackles on the season, including 21 primary stops. He stepped in front of three passes for interceptions, taking one back 30 yards for a touchdown against Morgan State in the year's final home game. His three interceptions allowed him to end the year tied for third in the league in that category. He would also finish the year second in the MEAC for kick return yards, averaging 23.4 yards per return. Drayton would conclude the year playing in the inaugural Tropical Bowl in South Florida. He went on to sign pro contracts with the LA Raiders and Saskatchewan Rough Riders.
Prior to his arrival in Daytona Beach, Hayes spent the 2014 campaign serving as the Defensive Coordinator at Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena, Mississippi. In 2014, he helped the team finish third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in pass defense, as well as fifth in total defense. For the Delta Devils, the improvement was substantial from previous years in both categories, respectively. He also coached the first team All-SWAC DB Avery Boykin
Before his brief stay at Mississippi Valley State. Hayes worked for nine years at fellow SWAC institution Jackson State, where he coached the defensive backs and served as Defensive Coordinator for the Tigers. In 2013, Hayes’ defense led JSU to the school’s fourth league title during his tenure. During the 2012 season, JSU ranked second in the league for rushing defense, third in total defense, fourth in interceptions and fifth in scoring defense. The team had its best mark while finishing atop the league statistically in sacks.
The 2011 JSU squad finished the season atop the NCAA and SWAC statistical category for pass defense efficiency, while also leading the Tigers to their third conference crown in his time with the program. The 2010 edition of the Tigers defense was ranked first in the SWAC for pass defense efficiency (96.7).
In 2009, the JSU defense finished the year atop the league for the third consecutive season. The unit was first in total defense (259 yards/game) and red zone defense. Meanwhile, the Tigers finished second in rush defense, allowing just 105.2 yards per game. Under Hayes’ guidance, the secondary finished at or near the top in several SWAC and NCAA statistical categories while producing three All-American products in the form of Qua Cox, Marcellas Speaks and Domonique Johnson. Collectively, the defense finished third in the NCAA in tackles for loss, and eighth nationally in total defense.
During the 2008 season, the Tigers ranked atop the league in total defense (238.5 yards/game), rush defense (76.5 yards/game) and pass defense (162 yards/game). The team went on to finish the slate second in the FCS for total defense and tackles for loss, while ending the year fourth in quarterback sacks, fifth in rush defense and 10th in pass defense.
In 2007, JSU’s defense was ranked in the top three for five SWAC categories. JSU ranked first in total defense, allowing just 282.2 yards per contest. The Tigers also finished atop the conference in rush defense (82.2 yards/game) and ranked second nationally in the FCS for quarterback sacks, registering 37 on the campaign. The team went on to finish third in the FCS for pass defense efficiency (106.3) and red zone defense (65.9 percent). Overall, the JSU defense was ranked fifth in the nation in rush defense, maintaining an eighth-place finish in total defense. For his efforts, Dominique Johnson was named as the Defensive MVP of the SWAC title game that same year.
The previous year, Hayes’ defense ranked number one in the SWAC against the rush and ended the year seventh in the NCAA for that same category, respectively. The team collected another top 20 finish for total defense, ending the year 16th overall.
While at Jackson State, Hayes coached over 20 All conference and a total of eight All-American performers, including three SWAC Defensive Player of the Year award winners – Qua Cox, Joseph LaBeau and Marcellas Speaks. The list also includes defensive end Donovan Robinson, safety Kerry Hoskins and cornerback Dominique Johnson. Several of those players went on to ink NFL contracts, including Marcus Bernard (Cleveland Browns), Qua Cox (Indianapolis Colts), Dominique Johnson (New York Giants), Jalil Johnson (Jacksonville Jaguars), Joseph LaBeau (St. Louis Rams), Donavan Robinson (New York Jets) Ryan Griffin (Detroit Lions), Rico Richardson (Tennessee Titans), Cletis Gordan (San Diego Chargers), and Marcell Young (New Orleans Saints).
Prior to his long term at JSU, Hayes worked at Tuskegee University, serving in the same capacity as Defensive Coordinator. His defensive unit was the best in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) – third on the Division II level of the NCAA, in 2005. The Tigers ranked atop the conference in every defensive category, statistically. Tuskegee defeated 2 division 1 football teams and finished 2005, 11-1, SIAC and Pioneer Bowl Champions.
Before his defensive coordinator duties at Tuskegee, Hayes spent five years at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. In 2002, he was promoted to the position of Head coach and worked from 2000-02 as the Defensive Coordinator. In 2004, Hayes helped coach the top-ranked defense in the SIAC, with the Lane defensive unit ranked in the top five of the NCAA four consecutive years. That stint at Lane includes coaching three All-American student-athletes; most notably, Ron Smith (Cincinnati Bengals) Martez Edwards (Kansas City Chiefs), and NFL All-Pro selection Jacoby Jones with the Baltimore Ravens.
Prior to his arrival in Jackson Tennessee Hayes began his coaching career at Knoxville College as the DB coach where they finished 1997 #1 in total pass defense. Hayes had his first 2 draft picks in Clarence Thompson (7th round Indianapolis Colts), and Grady Jackson (6th round Oakland Raiders) in 1997. Hayes started as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Tennessee in 1994.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Darrin J. Hayes is a 1993 graduate of Knoxville College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. He went on to earn his Masters of Education degree with an emphasis in Sports Administration.
Hayes is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), and the Great Light 300 Masonic Lodge.
He is married to Shebra Hayes and the father of five children – sons, Jabari, Tyler and daughters, Nisa, Navi and Nia.
