Marion Hobby Named Defensive Coach at Clemson

Jan. 19, 2005

Marion Hobby, most recently a defensive ends coach at the University of Mississippi for the last six seasons, has been named a defensive assistant coach on Tommy Bowden’s staff at Clemson.

Hobby was a member of the Mississippi staff that took the Rebels to a 44-29 record over the last six seasons, including a 10-3 record in 2003, a season that included a Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma State. Hobby coached in five bowl games during his time at Mississippi and the Rebels won four of them, posting victories over Big 12 foes Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.

Hobby came to Mississippi in December of 1998 to serve under David Cutcliffe. In his first full season on the staff as a defensive coach (1999), Mississippi ranked fourth in the nation in rushing, allowing just 78.1 yards per game. During his time at Mississippi, Hobby coached Derrick Burgess, a third-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection, who was a third-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2001 draft.

The 2002 season included a 17-14 win over a top 10 Florida team in Oxford. In 2003, while coaching the defensive ends, Hobby’s unit helped Mississippi to a #14 ranking in rushing defense. The Rebels also recorded 106 tackles for loss that year, 22 more than the previous season and 51 more than 2001.

Hobby entered the coaching profession in 1995 coaching defensive tackles at Tennessee-Martin. He then served two years at Southwest Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette). In 1996, he was the head strength and conditioning coach, then coached the defensive tackles in 1997.

During the 1998 season he returned to Tennessee to serve as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. Tennessee won the National Championship that year.

“Marion Hobby is an excellent addition to our staff for a number of reasons,” said Bowden. “He had a distinguished career as a player at the college level and professionally. As a result, he also comes to Clemson with the reputation of an outstanding recruiter. When he meets with a prospect about what it takes to get to the NFL, he has credibility. He played at that level. He has also worked on many successful defenses and is an outstanding coach on the field. We look forward to having Marion, his wife Constance and his family joining our program.”

Hobby had an outstanding playing career at the University of Tennessee between 1985-89. He was a three-year starter at defensive end (1987-88-89), a four-year letterman and served as the team captain for the 1989 season. That year the Volunteers finished with an 11-1 record, including a victory over Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. It was the best record for a Tennessee team in 20 years.

Hobby was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as senior (1989) and was later named to Tennessee’s 100-Year Anniversary team.

Hobby was a third-round draft choice, the 74th selection of the 1990 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He played three seasons (1990-91-92) with the New England Patriots for a total of 42 games. He had five sacks, including three in his rookie year of 1990.

Hobby earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee in 1995. He is married to the former Constance Price and they have three children, Maria, Mariah and Camille.