Scottie Hazelton

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1973)}}

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Scottie Hazelton

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| current_title = Defensive coordinator & linebackers coach

| current_team = Wake Forest

| current_conference = ACC

| current_record =

| contract =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|12|19}}

| birth_place = Brighton, Colorado, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| alma_mater =

| player_years1 = 1992–1995

| player_team1 = Fort Lewis

| player_positions = Linebacker

| coach_years1 = 1996–1999

| coach_team1 = Fort Lewis (DB)

| coach_years2 = 1999

| coach_team2 = Fort Lewis (interim DC/DB)

| coach_years3 = 2000–2001

| coach_team3 = North Dakota State (GA)

| coach_years4 = 2002–2003

| coach_team4 = St. Olaf (DB)

| coach_years5 = 2004–2005

| coach_team5 = Missouri Southern (DC)

| coach_years6 = 2006

| coach_team6 = Michigan Tech (LB)

| coach_years7 = 2007–2009

| coach_team7 = North Dakota State (DL)

| coach_years8 = 2010–2011

| coach_team8 = North Dakota State (DC/LB)

| coach_years9 = 2012

| coach_team9 = USC (LB)

| coach_years10 = 2013

| coach_team10 = Nevada (DC)

| coach_years11 = 2014–2016

| coach_team11 = Jacksonville Jaguars (assistant LB)

| coach_years12 = 2017–2018

| coach_team12 = Wyoming (DC/LB)

| coach_years13 = 2019

| coach_team13 = Kansas State (DC/LB)

| coach_years14 = 2020–2023

| coach_team14 = Michigan State (DC)

| coach_years15 = 2024

| coach_team15 = Texas (spec. assistant to the HC)

| coach_years16 = 2025–present

| coach_team16 = Wake Forest (DC/LB)

| overall_record =

| bowl_record =

| tournament_record =

| championships =

| awards =

| coaching_records =

}}

Scott Gregory Hazelton (born December 19, 1973) is an American college football coach. He is the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Wake Forest University, positions he has held since 2025. He also coached for Fort Lewis, North Dakota State, St. Olaf, Missouri Southern, Michigan Tech, USC, Nevada, Wyoming, Kansas State, Michigan State, Texas, and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Fort Lewis as a linebacker.

Playing career and education

Hazelton prepped at Horizon High School in Thornton, Colorado, from 1989 to 1991.

After high school, Hazelton played linebacker at Fort Lewis College where he lettered from 1992 to 1994. He earned a degree in exercise science.

Coaching career

Hazelton began his coaching career with his alma mater, Fort Lewis, as the team's defensive backs coach. In 1999, he was promoted to interim defensive coordinator. In 2000, he became a graduate assistant for North Dakota State under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.{{cite web |title=Scottie Hazelton - North Dakota State University |url=http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2400&ATCLID=867420 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120731060749/http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2400&ATCLID=867420 |archivedate=July 31, 2012 |accessdate=February 14, 2012}}

After finishing his graduate program, Hazelton was hired by St. Olaf as the defensive backs coach, a position he held for two years. He left St. Olaf in 2004 to become the defensive coordinator for Missouri Southern under head coach John Ware. After Ware died and interim head coach Keeth Matheny was not retained he was hired as the linebackers coach for Michigan Tech in 2006.{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2006 |title=College Football |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-college-football/164265440/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Detroit Free Press |pages=30}}

=North Dakota State (second stint)=

In 2007, Hazelton returned to North Dakota State as the defensive line coach.{{Cite news |date=March 6, 2007 |title=Bison Fill Two Assistant Coaching Vacancies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bismarck-tribune-bison-fill-two-assi/164265359/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=The Bismarck Tribune |pages=25}} In his first year back with the Bison he helped the defense rank 18th nationally in third down efficiency (33.3%) and 22nd nationally in rushing defense (126.5 ypg). This was all highlighted with wins over FBS opponents Central Michigan 44–14 and Minnesota 27–21.

A year later the defense led the FCS in pass defense (116.82 ypg), 5th in total defense (254 ypg) and 19th in scoring defense (19.18 ppg). In regards to his position his players ranked 3rd nationally in sacks (3.36 sacks per game) and 5th in tackles for a loss (8.55 TFL per game).

2009 was not a good year for the Bison and Hazelton. The defense forced just three interceptions while ranking 90th in scoring defense and finished 3–8 (2–6).

In 2010, Hazelton was promoted to defensive coordinator.{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2010 |title=Scottie Hazelton Promoted to Defensive Coordinator at North Dakota State University |url=http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2400&ATCLID=204875213 |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=North Dakota State University}} His defensive unit greatly improved from 2009 as the Bison ranked 7th nationally in scoring defense (18.21 ppg) and turnover margin (+1.07 avg). As well the defense ranked 15th in pass efficiency and 19th in sacks.

The Bison advanced to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs in 2010 for the first time in school history during Hazelton's inaugural season as defensive coordinator which included a win over Big 12 member Kansas 6–3. In their game against the Jayhawks Hazelton's defense forced 3 turnovers and held them to under 300 yards.

2011 was a banner year for Hazelton and the Bison as they went on to win the FCS National Championship 17–6 over Sam Houston{{Cite web |title=TrojanSports - Trojans hire two assistants |url=http://usc.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1330583}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025}} along with finishing the year with a 14–1 (7–1) record. During the playoffs the Bison rode their defense as they gave up just 27 points in four games.{{Dead link|date=January 2025}} The Bison ranked in the top 20 in six different categories including 1st nationally in points allowed (12.73 ppg) and tied for seventh in takeaways with 31 in 15 games. For the second time in four years Hazelton and the Bison beat Big 10 member Minnesota 37–24.

=Post-North Dakota State=

On February 12, 2012, Hazelton was hired as the linebackers coach for USC under head coach Lane Kiffin.{{Dead link|date=January 2025}} Hazelton replaced Joe Barry who left for the NFL.

On January 18, 2013, after just one season with USC, Hazelton was hired by Nevada to be the defensive coordinator under head coach Brian Polian.{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Chris |date=January 30, 2013 |title=New Wolf Pack defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton comes highly recommended |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/wolfpackblog/2013/01/31/new-wolf-pack-defensive-coordinator-scottie-hazelton-comes-highly-recommended/5687983/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Reno Gazette Journal}}

On February 10, 2014, Hazelton was hired as the assistant linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL); reuniting with head coach Gus Bradley.{{Cite news |date=February 10, 2014 |title=Jacksonville Jaguars add two assistant coaches |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jacksonville-jaguars-add-two-assistant-coaches-12602247 |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Jacksonville Jaguars}}

On January 10, 2017, Hazelton was reunited with another former colleague this time being Craig Bohl, as Hazelton was hired as the defensive coordinator for Wyoming.{{cite news |last1=Settle |first1=David |date=January 10, 2017 |title=Breaking: Wyoming Hires Scottie Hazelton as New Defensive Coordinator |url=https://kowb1290.com/breaking-wyoming-hires-scottie-hazelton-as-new-defensive-coordinator/#:~:text=BREAKING%3A%20Wyoming%20Hires%20Scottie%20Hazelton%20as%20New%20Defensive%20Coordinator,-David%20Settle&text=Former%20Jacksonville%20Jaguars%20assistant%20linebackers,Bohl%20announced%20the%20hiring%20Tuesday. |accessdate=6 August 2020 |work=KOWB1290.com}} In his first season, the Wyoming defense was first in the nation in takeaways, nineth in the nation in scoring defense, and first in the Mountain West Conference (MW) in sacks. In 2019, the Cowboys again finished in the top-30 in the nation in scoring defense and total defense. 13 defenders earned all-conference honors while Hazelton was coordinator.{{cite news |last1=Potter |first1=Davis |title=Wyoming's Scottie Hazelton set to become defensive coordinator at Kansas State |url=https://trib.com/sports/college/wyoming/football/wyomings-scottie-hazelton-set-to-become-defensive-coordinator-at-kansas-state/article_1a471851-5071-5712-9cf6-32984cda942d.html |accessdate=August 6, 2020 |work=Casper Star Tribune |date=January 21, 2019}}

Hazelton was hired by Kansas State under head coach Chris Klieman to be the defensive coordinator.{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Klieman Finalizes Initial Coaching Staff with Hiring of Hazelton |url=https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2019/1/22/football-klieman-finalizes-initial-coaching-staff-with-hiring-of-hazelton.aspx |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=Kansas State University}} In his one season at Kansas State, his defense ranked second in the Big 12 Conference in scoring defense and fourth in the Big 12 Conference, a marked improvement for the Wildcat defense over 2019.{{cite news |last1=Robinette |first1=Kellis |title=Kansas State expected to lose defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton to Big Ten team |url=https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article240696411.html |accessdate=August 6, 2020 |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=February 27, 2020}}

On February 28, 2020, Hazelton was announced as Michigan State's defensive coordinator in the team's first season under head coach Mel Tucker.{{cite news |title=Michigan St. hires Scottie Hazelton as defensive coordinator |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28803437/michigan-st-hires-scottie-hazelton-defensive-coordinator |accessdate=August 6, 2020 |work=ESPN |date=February 28, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Zach |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Report: Mel Tucker expected to pluck away Power 5 defensive coordinator |url=https://footballscoop.com/news/report-mel-tucker-expected-to-pluck-away-power-5-defensive-coordinator/ |accessdate=February 27, 2020 |work=footballscoop.com |publisher=footballscoop |agency=footballscoop.com}}

On June 27, 2024, Hazelton was hired by Texas as a special assistant to the head coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/6/27/24187600/scottie-hazelton-hire-texas-longhorns-special-assistant-steve-sarkisian|title=Texas hires former Michigan State DC Scottie Hazelton as special assistant|website=Burnt Orange Nation|first=Wescott|last=Eberts|date=June 27, 2024|access-date=July 24, 2024}}

In December 2024, Hazelton was hired as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach by Wake Forest under first-year head coach Jake Dickert.{{Cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Conor |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Scottie Hazelton hired as Wake's defensive coordinator |url=https://wakeforest.rivals.com/news/scottie-hazelton-hired-as-wake-s-defensive-coordinator |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Rivals}}{{Cite news |last=Linser |first=Cory |date=December 29, 2024 |title=Another former MSU football staffer hired by Wake Forest |url=https://spartanswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/spartans/2024/12/29/another-former-msu-football-staffer-hired-by-wake-forest/77303408007/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Spartans Wire}}

Personal life

Hazelton is married with four children.{{cite web|title=My Coach Calls Me Chica: Oh Baby!|url=http://mycoachcallsmechica.blogspot.com/2013/01/oh-baby.html|accessdate=February 10, 2013}}{{Unreliable source?|date=January 2025}}

References

External links

[https://godeacs.com/staff-directory/scottie-hazelton/1007 Wake Forest profile]
[https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/football/roster/staff/scottie-hazelton/196 Texas profile]
[https://msuspartans.com/staff-directory/scottie-hazelton/592 Michigan State profile]
[https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/scottie-hazelton/1389 Kansas State profile]
[https://gowyo.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/scottie-hazelton/41 Wyoming profile]
[https://nevadawolfpack.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/scottie-hazelton/264 Nevada profile]
[https://usctrojans.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/scottie-hazelton/305 USC profile]
[https://gobison.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/scottie-hazelton/550 North Dakota State profile]

Category:Living people

Category:1973 births

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Fort Lewis Skyhawks football coaches

Category:Fort Lewis Skyhawks football players

Category:Jacksonville Jaguars coaches

Category:Kansas State Wildcats football coaches

Category:Michigan State Spartans football coaches

Category:Michigan Tech Huskies football coaches

Category:Nevada Wolf Pack football coaches

Category:North Dakota State Bison football coaches

Category:St. Olaf Oles football coaches