Football
Hazelton, Scottie
Scottie Hazelton
- Title:
- Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator
- Email:
- football@msu.edu
- Phone Number:
- 355-1647
A 27-year coaching veteran with stints at all levels of collegiate football and the NFL, Scottie Hazelton enters his fourth season as the Secchia Family Defensive Coordinator. He also coaches the linebackers.
During his first season as the linebackers coach in 2022, Hazelton mentored Cal Haladay, who led the Big Ten in tackles per game (10.0) and recorded the most tackles (120) of any Spartan since 2009. Haladay earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks following his performances in victories over No. 14 Illinois (nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) and Rutgers (career-high 19 stops). In addition, Jacoby Windmon split time at defensive end and linebacker for MSU, and in his first start at LB for the Spartans, he earned Big Ten and National Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his role (11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one interception, one forced fumble) in helping MSU to a double-overtime win against Wisconsin in Week 7. Graduate transfer cornerback Ameer Speed, in his lone season for the Spartans, started 11 games and was chosen in the sixth round (No. 214 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
A total of six Spartans earned All-Big Ten recognition on defense in 2021 as Michigan State capped the biggest turnaround in school history with an 11-2 record, a New Year’s Six bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a Top 10 national ranking (No. 8 coaches, No. 9 AP). Defensive tackle Jacob Slade, one of the highest rated interior linemen in the nation according to Pro Football Focus, was a first-team All-PFF Big Ten honoree and a third-team choice by the media; he was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team following his six tackle performance (two sacks, 1.5 TFLs) in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win. Slade earned an all-star game invite to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate All-Star Bowl and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive end Jacub Panasiuk closed his five-year Spartan career with career highs in sacks (7) and TFLs (11) to earn second-team All-Big Ten accolades, while safety Xavier Henderson picked up third-team honors after tying for the team lead with a career-high 96 tackles. Linebackers Quavaris Crouch and Haladay, along with defensive back Darius Snow, garnered honorable mention. Haladay also was named a Freshman All-American with his 96 tackles and two interception returns for touchdowns.
During his first season in East Lansing, Hazelton coached three All-Big Ten performers. Redshirt junior cornerback Shakur Brown tied for third in the nation with five interceptions to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons led the team in tackles for the second straight year to pick up second-team all-league plaudits from the media, and defensive end Drew Beesley garnered honorable mention accolades. In addition, defensive tackle Naquan Jones had a career-high five TFLs and signed as an undrafted free agent with Tennessee; he went on to play 13 games for the AFC South champions during his rookie season in 2021. Hazelton helped transition the young Spartan defense to a 4-2-5 scheme in 2020, as MSU previously ran a 4-3 base defense.
Prior to arriving at Michigan State in 2020, Hazelton spent one season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State in 2019. He made an immediate impact in his only season in Manhattan 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. Hubert was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Cincinnati.
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 nine national championships over a 12-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 have two daughters and two sons.
THE HAZELTON FILE
FAMILY: Wife, Brooke; two daughters and two sons.
YEARS AT MICHIGAN STATE: Fourth. Joined staff on Feb. 28, 2020, from Kansas State.
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: Defensive backs coach at Fort Lewis College (1996-99) (Served as interim defensive coordinator in 1998); 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).
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Fort Lewis College in 1997.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: College – Three-year letterwinner as a linebacker at Fort Lewis College (1992-94).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: Coach – 2010 FCS Quarterfinals, 2011 FCS National Champions, 2012 Sun Bowl, 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2019 Liberty Bowl, 2021 Peach Bowl.
During his first season as the linebackers coach in 2022, Hazelton mentored Cal Haladay, who led the Big Ten in tackles per game (10.0) and recorded the most tackles (120) of any Spartan since 2009. Haladay earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks following his performances in victories over No. 14 Illinois (nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) and Rutgers (career-high 19 stops). In addition, Jacoby Windmon split time at defensive end and linebacker for MSU, and in his first start at LB for the Spartans, he earned Big Ten and National Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his role (11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, one interception, one forced fumble) in helping MSU to a double-overtime win against Wisconsin in Week 7. Graduate transfer cornerback Ameer Speed, in his lone season for the Spartans, started 11 games and was chosen in the sixth round (No. 214 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
A total of six Spartans earned All-Big Ten recognition on defense in 2021 as Michigan State capped the biggest turnaround in school history with an 11-2 record, a New Year’s Six bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and a Top 10 national ranking (No. 8 coaches, No. 9 AP). Defensive tackle Jacob Slade, one of the highest rated interior linemen in the nation according to Pro Football Focus, was a first-team All-PFF Big Ten honoree and a third-team choice by the media; he was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team following his six tackle performance (two sacks, 1.5 TFLs) in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl win. Slade earned an all-star game invite to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate All-Star Bowl and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive end Jacub Panasiuk closed his five-year Spartan career with career highs in sacks (7) and TFLs (11) to earn second-team All-Big Ten accolades, while safety Xavier Henderson picked up third-team honors after tying for the team lead with a career-high 96 tackles. Linebackers Quavaris Crouch and Haladay, along with defensive back Darius Snow, garnered honorable mention. Haladay also was named a Freshman All-American with his 96 tackles and two interception returns for touchdowns.
During his first season in East Lansing, Hazelton coached three All-Big Ten performers. Redshirt junior cornerback Shakur Brown tied for third in the nation with five interceptions to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Foundation, senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons led the team in tackles for the second straight year to pick up second-team all-league plaudits from the media, and defensive end Drew Beesley garnered honorable mention accolades. In addition, defensive tackle Naquan Jones had a career-high five TFLs and signed as an undrafted free agent with Tennessee; he went on to play 13 games for the AFC South champions during his rookie season in 2021. Hazelton helped transition the young Spartan defense to a 4-2-5 scheme in 2020, as MSU previously ran a 4-3 base defense.
Prior to arriving at Michigan State in 2020, Hazelton spent one season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State in 2019. He made an immediate impact in his only season in Manhattan 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. Hubert was selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Cincinnati.
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 nine national championships over a 12-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 have two daughters and two sons.
THE HAZELTON FILE
FAMILY: Wife, Brooke; two daughters and two sons.
YEARS AT MICHIGAN STATE: Fourth. Joined staff on Feb. 28, 2020, from Kansas State.
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: Defensive backs coach at Fort Lewis College (1996-99) (Served as interim defensive coordinator in 1998); 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).
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Fort Lewis College in 1997.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: College – Three-year letterwinner as a linebacker at Fort Lewis College (1992-94).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: Coach – 2010 FCS Quarterfinals, 2011 FCS National Champions, 2012 Sun Bowl, 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 2019 Liberty Bowl, 2021 Peach Bowl.
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