Michigan State University Athletics
Tucker Hires Scottie Hazelton as Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator
2/28/2020 5:59:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State head football coach Mel Tucker has announced that Scottie Hazelton will join the Spartan staff as the Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator.
Hazelton is the 10th assistant coach Tucker has hired, rounding out his full-time assistant coaching staff for the 2020 season.
A 24-year coaching veteran with stints at all levels of collegiate football and the NFL, Hazelton arrives in East Lansing after spending one season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State in 2019.
"Scottie definitely has the mentality you're looking for in a defensive coordinator," said Tucker. "He's a leader with an infectious personality and he's an excellent teacher. He's learned from some of the great defensive minds in the game throughout his career. Scottie has been a defensive coordinator multiple times, including at the Power 5 level, he's coached in the NFL, and he's been on a staff that won a national championship. I couldn't be more excited about hiring Scottie as our defensive coordinator to lead our outstanding defensive staff."
Hazelton made an immediate impact in his only season at Kansas State in 2019, as the Wildcats ranked among the best defensive teams in the Big 12. KSU was second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 21.4 points per game, the program's best mark since 2003. Part of the reason for K-State's success on defense was the dramatic improvement on third downs; under Hazelton, the Wildcats ranked first in the Big 12 and second in the FBS in third-down defense (.280), compared to eighth in the league and 110th in the FBS the season prior (.448). KSU also ranked second in the conference and 15th in the FBS in fewest first downs allowed (224), and second in the league in pass defense (202.9 ypg). Overall, the Wildcats ranked fourth in the Big 12 in total defense (368.4 ypg), the best for the program since 2013.
Five players picked up All-Big 12 honors on defense for the Wildcats in 2019, including first-team defensive end Wyatt Hubert, who also earned votes for both the defensive player and defensive lineman of the year awards. In addition, linebacker Elijah Sullivan garnered honorable mention accolades under Hazelton's watch.
Hazelton came to Manhattan after a successful two-year run as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Wyoming (2017-18). The Cowboys ranked in the top 25 nationally both seasons in total defense and top 30 nationally in scoring defense. Additionally, Hazelton saw 13 Wyoming defenders earn All-Mountain West honors, including four by linebackers.
His first season coordinating the Cowboy defense was an extremely productive one. Wyoming's 2017 defense was No. 1 in the nation in takeaways, forcing 38 opponent turnovers thanks to a nation-leading 18 fumbles recovered and a No. 2 ranking with 20 interceptions. The Cowboys ranked ninth in the country in scoring defense (17.5 points per game), 13th in pass defense (174.9 yards per game), 14th in pass efficiency defense (112.67), 21st in red zone defense (.765) and 23rd in total defense (335.2 yards per game). Three Cowboys earned first-team All-Mountain West accolades on defense and nine defensive players were honored overall.
In 2018, Wyoming ranked 19th in the FBS in total defense (326.2 yards per game), 25th in rushing defense (129.5 yards per game) and 29th in scoring defense (22.0 points per game). Four Cowboys earned All-MWC honors, while safety Andrew Wingard left Wyoming with a Mountain West-record tying 454 career tackles.
Hazelton got back into the college game at Wyoming after spending three seasons (2014-16) in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the assistant linebackers coach. While in Jacksonville, he was reunited with head coach Gus Bradley, who was Hazelton's position coach at Fort Lewis College.
In 2016, Hazelton was part of a Jacksonville defensive staff that saw the Jaguars rank sixth in the NFL in total defense (321.7 yards per game) and fifth in passing defense (215.2 yards per game). Two linebackers Hazelton worked with, Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith, each ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in tackles in 2015.
Before making the jump to the NFL, Hazelton coached for five seasons at North Dakota State from 2007-11. He was the defensive line coach from 2007 to 2009 before taking over as defensive coordinator and coaching the linebackers in 2010 and 2011.
During his first season as defensive coordinator in 2010, NDSU's defense ranked seventh nationally in both scoring defense (18.21 points per game) and turnover margin (+1.07 per game), 15th in pass efficiency defense (105.7), and 19th in sacks (2.57 per game). That season, the Bison made their first appearance in the FCS playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinals.
In 2011, the Bison defense led the nation in scoring defense (12.73 points per game), while they were eighth in turnover margin (+1.20 per game), 17th in rushing defense (118.73 yards per game), 19th in sacks (2.67 per game) and 20th in total defense (315.93 yards per game). Hazelton's defensive unit was a big part of North Dakota State's first-ever FCS title, which began a current streak of eight national championships over a nine-year span.
While coaching the defensive line, Hazelton helped the 2008 Bison lead the FCS in pass defense (116.82 yards per game), rank second in sacks (3.36 per game), fifth in total defense (254.0 yards per game), fifth in tackles for loss (8.55 per game) and 19th in scoring defense (19.18 points per game).
Hazelton moved from North Dakota State to his first Power 5 job as he was the linebackers coach at USC in 2012, a year that ended with a Sun Bowl berth. The next year in 2013, he served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Nevada.
Hazelton's coaching career began in 1996 at his alma mater, Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He was the defensive backs coach for the Skyhawks from 1996 to 1999, while he was the interim defensive coordinator in 1998. Hazelton served his first stint at North Dakota State from 2000 to 2001 as a defensive graduate assistant before moving into a full-time coaching position at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, in 2002 and 2003 where he served as recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Hazelton was hired at Missouri Southern State for the 2004 and 2005 seasons as defensive coordinator and safeties coach. In 2006, he coached the linebackers and special teams at Michigan Tech before returning to North Dakota State in 2007.
A native of Brighton, Colorado, Hazelton was a three-year letterwinner at linebacker for Fort Lewis College from 1992 to 1994. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Fort Lewis in 1997.
Hazelton and his wife, Brooke, have two daughters, Ava and Sophie, and two sons, Bode and Crew.
THE HAZELTON FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Defensive backs coach at Fort Lewis College (1996-99)*
Graduate assistant at North Dakota State (2000-01)
Recruiting coordinator/defensive backs coach at St. Olaf (2002-03)
Defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Missouri Southern State (2004-05)
Linebackers/special teams coach at Michigan Tech (2006)
Defensive line coach at North Dakota State (2007-09)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers at North Dakota State (2010-11)
Linebackers at USC (2012)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Nevada (2013)
Assistant linebackers coach with Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Wyoming (2017-18)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Kansas State (2019)
*Served as interim defensive coordinator in 1998
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE: 2010 FCS Quarterfinals, 2011 FCS National Champions, 2012 Sun Bowl, 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2019 Liberty Bowl
Hazelton is the 10th assistant coach Tucker has hired, rounding out his full-time assistant coaching staff for the 2020 season.
A 24-year coaching veteran with stints at all levels of collegiate football and the NFL, Hazelton arrives in East Lansing after spending one season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State in 2019.
"Scottie definitely has the mentality you're looking for in a defensive coordinator," said Tucker. "He's a leader with an infectious personality and he's an excellent teacher. He's learned from some of the great defensive minds in the game throughout his career. Scottie has been a defensive coordinator multiple times, including at the Power 5 level, he's coached in the NFL, and he's been on a staff that won a national championship. I couldn't be more excited about hiring Scottie as our defensive coordinator to lead our outstanding defensive staff."
Hazelton made an immediate impact in his only season at Kansas State in 2019, as the Wildcats ranked among the best defensive teams in the Big 12. KSU was second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 21.4 points per game, the program's best mark since 2003. Part of the reason for K-State's success on defense was the dramatic improvement on third downs; under Hazelton, the Wildcats ranked first in the Big 12 and second in the FBS in third-down defense (.280), compared to eighth in the league and 110th in the FBS the season prior (.448). KSU also ranked second in the conference and 15th in the FBS in fewest first downs allowed (224), and second in the league in pass defense (202.9 ypg). Overall, the Wildcats ranked fourth in the Big 12 in total defense (368.4 ypg), the best for the program since 2013.
Five players picked up All-Big 12 honors on defense for the Wildcats in 2019, including first-team defensive end Wyatt Hubert, who also earned votes for both the defensive player and defensive lineman of the year awards. In addition, linebacker Elijah Sullivan garnered honorable mention accolades under Hazelton's watch.
Hazelton came to Manhattan after a successful two-year run as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Wyoming (2017-18). The Cowboys ranked in the top 25 nationally both seasons in total defense and top 30 nationally in scoring defense. Additionally, Hazelton saw 13 Wyoming defenders earn All-Mountain West honors, including four by linebackers.
His first season coordinating the Cowboy defense was an extremely productive one. Wyoming's 2017 defense was No. 1 in the nation in takeaways, forcing 38 opponent turnovers thanks to a nation-leading 18 fumbles recovered and a No. 2 ranking with 20 interceptions. The Cowboys ranked ninth in the country in scoring defense (17.5 points per game), 13th in pass defense (174.9 yards per game), 14th in pass efficiency defense (112.67), 21st in red zone defense (.765) and 23rd in total defense (335.2 yards per game). Three Cowboys earned first-team All-Mountain West accolades on defense and nine defensive players were honored overall.
In 2018, Wyoming ranked 19th in the FBS in total defense (326.2 yards per game), 25th in rushing defense (129.5 yards per game) and 29th in scoring defense (22.0 points per game). Four Cowboys earned All-MWC honors, while safety Andrew Wingard left Wyoming with a Mountain West-record tying 454 career tackles.
Hazelton got back into the college game at Wyoming after spending three seasons (2014-16) in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the assistant linebackers coach. While in Jacksonville, he was reunited with head coach Gus Bradley, who was Hazelton's position coach at Fort Lewis College.
In 2016, Hazelton was part of a Jacksonville defensive staff that saw the Jaguars rank sixth in the NFL in total defense (321.7 yards per game) and fifth in passing defense (215.2 yards per game). Two linebackers Hazelton worked with, Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith, each ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in tackles in 2015.
Before making the jump to the NFL, Hazelton coached for five seasons at North Dakota State from 2007-11. He was the defensive line coach from 2007 to 2009 before taking over as defensive coordinator and coaching the linebackers in 2010 and 2011.
During his first season as defensive coordinator in 2010, NDSU's defense ranked seventh nationally in both scoring defense (18.21 points per game) and turnover margin (+1.07 per game), 15th in pass efficiency defense (105.7), and 19th in sacks (2.57 per game). That season, the Bison made their first appearance in the FCS playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinals.
In 2011, the Bison defense led the nation in scoring defense (12.73 points per game), while they were eighth in turnover margin (+1.20 per game), 17th in rushing defense (118.73 yards per game), 19th in sacks (2.67 per game) and 20th in total defense (315.93 yards per game). Hazelton's defensive unit was a big part of North Dakota State's first-ever FCS title, which began a current streak of eight national championships over a nine-year span.
While coaching the defensive line, Hazelton helped the 2008 Bison lead the FCS in pass defense (116.82 yards per game), rank second in sacks (3.36 per game), fifth in total defense (254.0 yards per game), fifth in tackles for loss (8.55 per game) and 19th in scoring defense (19.18 points per game).
Hazelton moved from North Dakota State to his first Power 5 job as he was the linebackers coach at USC in 2012, a year that ended with a Sun Bowl berth. The next year in 2013, he served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Nevada.
Hazelton's coaching career began in 1996 at his alma mater, Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He was the defensive backs coach for the Skyhawks from 1996 to 1999, while he was the interim defensive coordinator in 1998. Hazelton served his first stint at North Dakota State from 2000 to 2001 as a defensive graduate assistant before moving into a full-time coaching position at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, in 2002 and 2003 where he served as recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Hazelton was hired at Missouri Southern State for the 2004 and 2005 seasons as defensive coordinator and safeties coach. In 2006, he coached the linebackers and special teams at Michigan Tech before returning to North Dakota State in 2007.
A native of Brighton, Colorado, Hazelton was a three-year letterwinner at linebacker for Fort Lewis College from 1992 to 1994. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Fort Lewis in 1997.
Hazelton and his wife, Brooke, have two daughters, Ava and Sophie, and two sons, Bode and Crew.
THE HAZELTON FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Defensive backs coach at Fort Lewis College (1996-99)*
Graduate assistant at North Dakota State (2000-01)
Recruiting coordinator/defensive backs coach at St. Olaf (2002-03)
Defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Missouri Southern State (2004-05)
Linebackers/special teams coach at Michigan Tech (2006)
Defensive line coach at North Dakota State (2007-09)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers at North Dakota State (2010-11)
Linebackers at USC (2012)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Nevada (2013)
Assistant linebackers coach with Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Wyoming (2017-18)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Kansas State (2019)
*Served as interim defensive coordinator in 1998
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE: 2010 FCS Quarterfinals, 2011 FCS National Champions, 2012 Sun Bowl, 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2019 Liberty Bowl
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