Football
Haynes, Paul
Paul Haynes
- Title:
- Secondary
- Email:
- football@msu.edu
- Phone Number:
- 355-1647
Paul Haynes, who has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience, enters his second season as the defensive backs coach at Michigan State. Haynes is in his second stint with the Spartans, serving as defensive backs coach from 2003-04. He has coached four first-team All-Americans and 15 NFL Draft picks, including two first-rounders, during his 24-year collegiate coaching career.
In his first season under head coach Mark Dantonio in 2018, Haynes mentored an experienced secondary that improved all season long and helped Michigan State to the No. 1 scoring defense in the Big Ten (17.2 ppg) and the No. 10 defense overall in the FBS. The Spartans ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in pass break-ups (67) and passes defended (81), totals which also ranked among the best in the country (tied for No. 4 in pass break-ups, No. 7 in passes defended). In addition, MSU ranked tied for 24th in the FBS with 14 interceptions.
Junior cornerback Justin Layne, a third-round draft pick by the Steelers, led the Big Ten in both pass break-ups (15) and passes defended (16) to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors from Pro Football Focus and second-team accolades from the Big Ten coaches and media. His 15 pass break-ups tied for the eighth-highest total in an MSU single season. Layne was the second-highest graded cornerback (87.1) in the Big Ten in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus.
Senior safety Khari Willis, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Colts, had his best year at MSU under Haynes, recording career bests in tackles (84), pass break-ups (10) and interceptions (2). Willis’ impressive senior campaign landed him invitations to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. He was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by Pro Football Focus and also excelled off the field as he was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award and a semifinalist for the National Football Football Scholar-Athlete Class. Willis became just the fifth student-athlete in MSU history to win the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor and the Brewer Leadership Award in the same year.
Prior to rejoining the Spartan staff in January 2018, Haynes spent five seasons (2013-17) as the head coach at Kent State. While in charge of the Golden Flashes, Haynes coached 17 players who earned Mid-American All-Conference accolades, including seven first-team selections. At least three players earned all-league plaudits in all five seasons, including four in both 2017 and 2016, five in 2013, three in 2014 and five in 2013. In the classroom, 55 Kent State players earned spots on the Academic All-MAC Team in Haynes’ five years, including first-team Academic All-Americans Jordan Italiano and Nick Cuthbert.
While at KSU, Haynes coached some of the top passing defenses in the MAC. The Golden Flashes finished in the top 45 of the FBS in pass defense all five of his seasons at the helm, including No. 27 in 2013, No. 22 in 2016 and No. 27 in 2017. In addition, Kent State led the MAC in passing defense in 2014 and pass efficiency defense in 2016. In 2015, KSU ranked first in the conference and No. 22 in the FBS in sacks and No. 27 in the FBS in total defense.
Prior to his time at Kent State, Haynes was the defensive coordinator at Arkansas in 2012, also serving as the Razorbacks’ secondary coach.
Before Arkansas, Haynes was at Ohio State from 2005-2011, holding the position of co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach in 2011 after being the secondary coach from 2005-10. He helped the Buckeyes win six Big Ten Championships while coaching in six BCS Games, including two BCS National Championship Games (2007, 2008). Haynes’ players in the secondary at OSU earned first-team All-America honors five times and first-team All-Big Ten accolades 10 times, including two-time All-American cornerback and 2008 Thorpe Award winner Malcolm Jenkins. He also worked with nine NFL Draft choices in Columbus, including two first-rounders (Jenkins in 2009; Donte Whitner in 2006). A nine-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowler, Jenkins earned a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles in 2018.
Haynes’ first stint at Michigan State was during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, serving as secondary coach. He mentored safety Jason Harmon, who earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in both seasons under Haynes.
Before Michigan State, Haynes was at Louisville as the secondary coach in 2002 after serving as the defensive quality control coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001.
Haynes also had an earlier stint at Kent State, serving as the assistant head coach/safeties in 2000 after being the secondary coach in 1999. Haynes’ coaching career also includes stints as the running backs and secondary coach at Northern Iowa from 1997-98, defensive backs coach at Ferris State from 1995-96 and graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 1994. Haynes started his coaching career as an assistant coach at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio, in 1993.
Haynes played at Kent State, walking on in the fall of 1987 and going on to lead the team in interceptions as a freshman. In his sophomore season, Haynes led Kent State with 116 tackles. Haynes missed the 1989 season with a knee injury, before earning All-MAC accolades as a junior and senior. For his career, Haynes amassed 440 tackles, ranking seventh in Kent State history.
As a multiple sport standout at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Haynes was a three-year letterwinner in football, leading the team to the 1985 state championship. Haynes was also a four-year letterman in track and field and a two-year letterman in basketball, helping the Stallions to the OHSAA state tournament.
THE HAYNES FILE
FAMILY: Wife Danita and three children: Jordyn, Kennedy Rose and Tarron.
YEARS AT MICHIGAN STATE: Fourth overall. Second since rejoining staff on Jan. 19, 2018, from Kent State.
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: College – Graduate assistant coach at Bowling Green (1994); secondary coach at Ferris State (1995-96); running backs and secondary coach at Northern Iowa (1997-98); secondary coach and assistant head coach/safeties coach at Kent State (1999-2000); cornerbacks coach at Louisville (2002); defensive backs coach at Michigan State (2003-04); defensive backs coach (2005-10) and co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Ohio State (2011); defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at Arkansas (2012); head coach at Kent State (2013-17). NFL – Defensive quality control coach with Jacksonville Jaguars (2001).
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kent State in 1992.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: College – Four-year letterman as a safety at Kent State (1987-88; 1990-91).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: Coach – 2002 GMAC Bowl; 2003 Alamo Bowl; 2006 Fiesta Bowl; 2007 BCS National Championship Game; 2008 BCS National Championship Game; 2009 Fiesta Bowl; 2010 Rose Bowl; 2011 Sugar Bowl; 2012 Gator Bowl, 2018 Redbox Bowl.
BIG TEN STAT CHAMPIONS: Scoring Defense (2018), Pass Break-Ups (2018)
FBS TOP 10 STAT RANKINGS AT MSU: Pass Break-Ups (No. 4 in 2018): Passes Defended (No. 7 in 2018); Scoring Defense (No. 8 in 2018); Total Defense (No. 10 in 2018).
ALL-BIG TEN PLAYERS: Michigan State: CB Justin Layne (second team, 2018); S Khari Willis (third team, 2018); Ohio State (First-team only): S Nate Salley (first team, 2005); S Donte Whitner (first team, 2005); CB Ashton Youboty (first team, 2005); DB Malcom Jenkins (first team, 2005, 2006, 2007); DB Antonio Smith (first team, 2006); DB Kurt Coleman (first team, 2009); DB Chimdi Chekwa (first team, 2010); DB Jermale Hines (first team, 2010)
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS: Ohio State: DB Malcom Jenkins, Jim Thorpe Award (2008)
FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICANS: Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (first team, 2006); DB Malcom Jenkins (first team, 2007, 2008); DB Kurt Coleman (first team, 2009); DB Chimdi Chekwa (first team, 2010)
NFL DRAFT PICKS: Michigan State: CB Justin Layne (Steelers, third round, 2019); S Khari Willis (Colts, fourth round, 2019); Kent State: RB Dri Archer (Steelers, third round, 2014); Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (Bills, first round, 2006); CB Ashton Youboty (Bills, third round, 2006); S Nate Salley (Panthers, fourth round, 2006); CB Malcom Jenkins (Saints, first round, 2009); CB Donald Washington (Chiefs, fourth round, 2009); DB Kurt Coleman (Eagles, seventh round, 2010); DB Chimdi Chekwa (Raiders, fourth round, 2011); DB Jermale Hines (Rams, fifth round, 2011); DB Nate Ebner (Patriots, sixth round, 2012); Louisville: S Curry Burns (Texans, seventh round, 2003); CB Chris Johnson (Packers, seventh round, 2003); Northern Iowa: DB Tyree Talton (Lions, fifth round, 1999)
NFL PLAYERS: Kent State: RB Dri Archer (Steelers, 2014-15); Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (Bills, 2006-2010; 49ers, 2011-13; Browns, 2014-15; Redskins, 2016); CB Ashton Youboty (Bills, 2006-2010; Jaguars, 2011); DB Malcom Jenkins (Saints, 2009-13; Eagles, 2014-18); S Nate Salley (Panthers, 2006, 2008); CB Donald Washington (Chiefs, 2009-11); DB Kurt Coleman (Eagles, 2010-13; Chiefs, 2014; Panthers, 2015-17; Saints, 2018); DB Chimdi Chekwa (Raiders, 2011-14; Dolphins, 2016); DB Jermale Hines (Panthers, 2011; Colts, 2011); DB Nate Ebner (Patriots, 2011-18); Louisville: S Curry Burns (Texans, 2003; Giants, 2004; Redskins, 2006); CB Chris Johnson (Rams, 2005; Raiders, 2007-11; Ravens, 2012); Northern Iowa: DB Tyree Talton (Lions, 1999)
PRO BOWL PLAYERS: Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (49ers, 2012; Browns, 2014); DB Malcom Jenkins (Eagles, 2015, 2017, 2018)
ALL-PRO PLAYERS: Ohio State: DB Malcom Jenkins (Saints, second team, 2010; Eagles, first team, 2015)
In his first season under head coach Mark Dantonio in 2018, Haynes mentored an experienced secondary that improved all season long and helped Michigan State to the No. 1 scoring defense in the Big Ten (17.2 ppg) and the No. 10 defense overall in the FBS. The Spartans ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in pass break-ups (67) and passes defended (81), totals which also ranked among the best in the country (tied for No. 4 in pass break-ups, No. 7 in passes defended). In addition, MSU ranked tied for 24th in the FBS with 14 interceptions.
Junior cornerback Justin Layne, a third-round draft pick by the Steelers, led the Big Ten in both pass break-ups (15) and passes defended (16) to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors from Pro Football Focus and second-team accolades from the Big Ten coaches and media. His 15 pass break-ups tied for the eighth-highest total in an MSU single season. Layne was the second-highest graded cornerback (87.1) in the Big Ten in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus.
Senior safety Khari Willis, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Colts, had his best year at MSU under Haynes, recording career bests in tackles (84), pass break-ups (10) and interceptions (2). Willis’ impressive senior campaign landed him invitations to the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. He was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by Pro Football Focus and also excelled off the field as he was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award and a semifinalist for the National Football Football Scholar-Athlete Class. Willis became just the fifth student-athlete in MSU history to win the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor and the Brewer Leadership Award in the same year.
Prior to rejoining the Spartan staff in January 2018, Haynes spent five seasons (2013-17) as the head coach at Kent State. While in charge of the Golden Flashes, Haynes coached 17 players who earned Mid-American All-Conference accolades, including seven first-team selections. At least three players earned all-league plaudits in all five seasons, including four in both 2017 and 2016, five in 2013, three in 2014 and five in 2013. In the classroom, 55 Kent State players earned spots on the Academic All-MAC Team in Haynes’ five years, including first-team Academic All-Americans Jordan Italiano and Nick Cuthbert.
While at KSU, Haynes coached some of the top passing defenses in the MAC. The Golden Flashes finished in the top 45 of the FBS in pass defense all five of his seasons at the helm, including No. 27 in 2013, No. 22 in 2016 and No. 27 in 2017. In addition, Kent State led the MAC in passing defense in 2014 and pass efficiency defense in 2016. In 2015, KSU ranked first in the conference and No. 22 in the FBS in sacks and No. 27 in the FBS in total defense.
Prior to his time at Kent State, Haynes was the defensive coordinator at Arkansas in 2012, also serving as the Razorbacks’ secondary coach.
Before Arkansas, Haynes was at Ohio State from 2005-2011, holding the position of co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach in 2011 after being the secondary coach from 2005-10. He helped the Buckeyes win six Big Ten Championships while coaching in six BCS Games, including two BCS National Championship Games (2007, 2008). Haynes’ players in the secondary at OSU earned first-team All-America honors five times and first-team All-Big Ten accolades 10 times, including two-time All-American cornerback and 2008 Thorpe Award winner Malcolm Jenkins. He also worked with nine NFL Draft choices in Columbus, including two first-rounders (Jenkins in 2009; Donte Whitner in 2006). A nine-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowler, Jenkins earned a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles in 2018.
Haynes’ first stint at Michigan State was during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, serving as secondary coach. He mentored safety Jason Harmon, who earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in both seasons under Haynes.
Before Michigan State, Haynes was at Louisville as the secondary coach in 2002 after serving as the defensive quality control coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001.
Haynes also had an earlier stint at Kent State, serving as the assistant head coach/safeties in 2000 after being the secondary coach in 1999. Haynes’ coaching career also includes stints as the running backs and secondary coach at Northern Iowa from 1997-98, defensive backs coach at Ferris State from 1995-96 and graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 1994. Haynes started his coaching career as an assistant coach at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio, in 1993.
Haynes played at Kent State, walking on in the fall of 1987 and going on to lead the team in interceptions as a freshman. In his sophomore season, Haynes led Kent State with 116 tackles. Haynes missed the 1989 season with a knee injury, before earning All-MAC accolades as a junior and senior. For his career, Haynes amassed 440 tackles, ranking seventh in Kent State history.
As a multiple sport standout at St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus, Haynes was a three-year letterwinner in football, leading the team to the 1985 state championship. Haynes was also a four-year letterman in track and field and a two-year letterman in basketball, helping the Stallions to the OHSAA state tournament.
THE HAYNES FILE
FAMILY: Wife Danita and three children: Jordyn, Kennedy Rose and Tarron.
YEARS AT MICHIGAN STATE: Fourth overall. Second since rejoining staff on Jan. 19, 2018, from Kent State.
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: College – Graduate assistant coach at Bowling Green (1994); secondary coach at Ferris State (1995-96); running backs and secondary coach at Northern Iowa (1997-98); secondary coach and assistant head coach/safeties coach at Kent State (1999-2000); cornerbacks coach at Louisville (2002); defensive backs coach at Michigan State (2003-04); defensive backs coach (2005-10) and co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Ohio State (2011); defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at Arkansas (2012); head coach at Kent State (2013-17). NFL – Defensive quality control coach with Jacksonville Jaguars (2001).
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kent State in 1992.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: College – Four-year letterman as a safety at Kent State (1987-88; 1990-91).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: Coach – 2002 GMAC Bowl; 2003 Alamo Bowl; 2006 Fiesta Bowl; 2007 BCS National Championship Game; 2008 BCS National Championship Game; 2009 Fiesta Bowl; 2010 Rose Bowl; 2011 Sugar Bowl; 2012 Gator Bowl, 2018 Redbox Bowl.
BIG TEN STAT CHAMPIONS: Scoring Defense (2018), Pass Break-Ups (2018)
FBS TOP 10 STAT RANKINGS AT MSU: Pass Break-Ups (No. 4 in 2018): Passes Defended (No. 7 in 2018); Scoring Defense (No. 8 in 2018); Total Defense (No. 10 in 2018).
ALL-BIG TEN PLAYERS: Michigan State: CB Justin Layne (second team, 2018); S Khari Willis (third team, 2018); Ohio State (First-team only): S Nate Salley (first team, 2005); S Donte Whitner (first team, 2005); CB Ashton Youboty (first team, 2005); DB Malcom Jenkins (first team, 2005, 2006, 2007); DB Antonio Smith (first team, 2006); DB Kurt Coleman (first team, 2009); DB Chimdi Chekwa (first team, 2010); DB Jermale Hines (first team, 2010)
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS: Ohio State: DB Malcom Jenkins, Jim Thorpe Award (2008)
FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICANS: Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (first team, 2006); DB Malcom Jenkins (first team, 2007, 2008); DB Kurt Coleman (first team, 2009); DB Chimdi Chekwa (first team, 2010)
NFL DRAFT PICKS: Michigan State: CB Justin Layne (Steelers, third round, 2019); S Khari Willis (Colts, fourth round, 2019); Kent State: RB Dri Archer (Steelers, third round, 2014); Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (Bills, first round, 2006); CB Ashton Youboty (Bills, third round, 2006); S Nate Salley (Panthers, fourth round, 2006); CB Malcom Jenkins (Saints, first round, 2009); CB Donald Washington (Chiefs, fourth round, 2009); DB Kurt Coleman (Eagles, seventh round, 2010); DB Chimdi Chekwa (Raiders, fourth round, 2011); DB Jermale Hines (Rams, fifth round, 2011); DB Nate Ebner (Patriots, sixth round, 2012); Louisville: S Curry Burns (Texans, seventh round, 2003); CB Chris Johnson (Packers, seventh round, 2003); Northern Iowa: DB Tyree Talton (Lions, fifth round, 1999)
NFL PLAYERS: Kent State: RB Dri Archer (Steelers, 2014-15); Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (Bills, 2006-2010; 49ers, 2011-13; Browns, 2014-15; Redskins, 2016); CB Ashton Youboty (Bills, 2006-2010; Jaguars, 2011); DB Malcom Jenkins (Saints, 2009-13; Eagles, 2014-18); S Nate Salley (Panthers, 2006, 2008); CB Donald Washington (Chiefs, 2009-11); DB Kurt Coleman (Eagles, 2010-13; Chiefs, 2014; Panthers, 2015-17; Saints, 2018); DB Chimdi Chekwa (Raiders, 2011-14; Dolphins, 2016); DB Jermale Hines (Panthers, 2011; Colts, 2011); DB Nate Ebner (Patriots, 2011-18); Louisville: S Curry Burns (Texans, 2003; Giants, 2004; Redskins, 2006); CB Chris Johnson (Rams, 2005; Raiders, 2007-11; Ravens, 2012); Northern Iowa: DB Tyree Talton (Lions, 1999)
PRO BOWL PLAYERS: Ohio State: S Donte Whitner (49ers, 2012; Browns, 2014); DB Malcom Jenkins (Eagles, 2015, 2017, 2018)
ALL-PRO PLAYERS: Ohio State: DB Malcom Jenkins (Saints, second team, 2010; Eagles, first team, 2015)
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