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IOWA CITY, Iowa – – Former University of Iowa defensive back Tom Hayes will serve as honorary captain when Iowa hosts Rutgers at Kinnick Stadium, Saturday (11:05 a.m., FS1).
Following his Hawkeye playing career, Hayes enjoyed a 40-year coaching career, including 29 seasons at the collegiate level prior to his retirement in 2017. Hayes coached at Kansas State from 2011-17, completing his career as the Wildcat defensive coordinator during his final six seasons. Kansas State posted an 8-5 record in 2017, concluding the season with a win over UCLA in the Cactus Bowl, the 20th bowl game of his career.
Hayes began his coaching career at Coe College in 1976 before returning to Iowa to coach defensive backs in 1977 and 1978. From there, he was the defensive coordinator at Cal State Fullerton in 1979. He joined the UCLA staff in 1980, coaching defensive backs for two seasons before serving as co-defensive coordinator from 1982-88.
Hayes was assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Texas A&M in 1989 and 1990, and defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Oklahoma from 1991-94. He later coached at Kansas (2001), Stanford (2005), and Tulane (2010) before his stint at Kansas State. Hayes coached more than 30 defensive backs who went on to play in the NFL, including five first-round draft selections.
Hayes coached in the NFL for seven seasons, including five years as defensive backs coach with Washington (1995-1999) and two years as defensive backs coach with New Orleans (2006-07). The Saints featured the top-ranked defense in the NFC in 2006.
Hayes joined the Iowa football program from Atlantic, Iowa, where he earned all-state honors in football and basketball. He earned a degree in finance/insurance from Iowa in 1971.
Hayes will accompany the Iowa captains to midfield for Saturday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game.
