Hampton University named Van Malone as its 23rd head football coach last week, tapping a veteran assistant with 23 years of college coaching experience to lead the Pirates’ storied program.

Malone, 55, spent the last seven seasons as assistant head coach, pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach at Kansas State, where the Wildcats compiled a 53-34 record and earned five bowl invitations. 

“Hampton University is a place of purpose, pride and possibility,” Malone said. “My staff and families are beyond excited to begin our journey together. With the Hampton Nation, we will build a program rooted in leadership, accountability and service.” 

Director of Athletics Anthony D. Henderson Sr. said Malone’s physical brand of football and winning philosophy made him the right choice to continue Hampton’s tradition of excellence. 

Hampton has won seven Black College national championships, 19 conference titles and earned five FCS championship invitations. 

University President Darrell K. Williams praised Malone as “a proven winner and phenomenal football coach” who embodies the school’s values of respect, integrity and excellence. 

Malone brings 18 years of Power Four experience to Hampton. He served as defensive coordinator at SMU from 2015 to 2017, earning National FBS Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2017. He has coached in 15 bowl games during his 18 FBS seasons. 

His coaching resume includes stops at Texas A&M (2006-09), Oklahoma State (2012-14), Tulsa (2010-11), Mississippi State (2018) and earlier positions at Western Michigan, North Texas State and North Dakota State. 

A Houston native, Malone played defensive back at Texas from 1990-93, earning freshman All-American honors in 1990 and All- Southwest Conference recognition in 1993. He helped lead the Longhorns to the Southwest Conference championship. 

The Detroit Lions selected Malone in the second round (57th overall) of the 1994 NFL draft. He played four seasons with Detroit, earning Pro Bowl nominations in 1994 and 1995 for his special teams play before injuries ended his career with Arizona. 

Malone earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from Houston in 2002. He and his wife, Nedra, have three sons: Van, Vaughn and Vincent.