Brock Hays Named Troy’s Running Backs Coach

TROY, Ala. – Selected to the AFCA 35 Under 35, Brock Hays has been named Troy's new running backs coach following a three-year stint at Louisiana Tech, Troy head coach Jon Sumrall announced Thursday.

Hays mentored a pair of All-Conference USA backs during his tenure at Louisiana Tech in Justin Henderson and Israel Tucker and oversaw a Bulldog rushing attack that finished with more than 1,500 yards in addition to 16 touchdowns in 2021.

Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Hays was invited to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession.

"We're excited to welcome Brock and his family to Troy," Sumrall said. "He is well respected throughout the coaching profession, as evident by his selection to the AFCA 35 Under 35 this past year. Brock does an excellent job building a rapport with his players, and his vast resume coaching numerous position groups provides him with a comprehensive teaching tool to share with his players."

During his second season at Louisiana Tech, Hays coached Tucker to All-Conference USA honorable mention honors. In his first season with the Bulldogs, Henderson became the 13th running back in program history to rush for 1,000 yards and was named to the C-USA Second Team. His 15 rushing TDs led C-USA and tied for the seventh most in a single season in school history.

"I'm excited to become part of such a rich tradition at Troy University," Hays said. "The opportunity to be part of Coach Sumrall's coaching staff is such an honor. I'm looking forward to developing relationships and making an impact with this great foundation of young men on our team. It's going to be a collective effort to Rise to Build."

Hays was part of a 2019 Louisiana Tech team that went 10-3 overall, marking the first time a Bulldog squad reached double-digit victories since 1984. The 10th victory came in the 2019 Walk On's Independence Bowl as the Bulldogs shut out Miami, 14-0. It was the first shutout in Independence Bowl history and the only shutout of the 2019 bowl season.

Hays spent one season on the Southern Miss staff in 2018 as the tight ends coach after spending the previous two seasons as the running backs coach at Nicholls State.

During his time at Nicholls State, Hays helped lead the Colonels to the 2017 FCS Playoffs, just its fourth in program history and first since 2005. That same season, Nicholls ranked 19th nationally among FCS programs with an average of 200.3 rushing yards per game.

In 2016, Hays led a group that had totaled only 10 career carries heading into the season to an average of 162.9 yards rushing per game and 23 touchdowns. Under Hays' guidance, Nicholls' backs combined for five 100-yard games that season.

Hays joined the staff at Nicholls after coaching one season at Louisiana College as the defensive line coach, pro scouting liaison and academic liaison for the Wildcats.

Before coaching in the college ranks, Hays served as the assistant head coach, assistant defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Edna Karr High School in his hometown of New Orleans from 2014-2015.

Hays also acted in a similar role at Edna Karr from 2010-2013 before taking the defensive coordinator position at Miller McCoy Academy in New Orleans for the 2013-2014 school year. Prior to his first stint at Edna Karr, Hays started his coaching career in 2004 as an offensive line coach at Helen Cox High School in Harvey, Louisiana, before switching over to the defensive side of the ball in 2007 when he accepted a job as the defensive line coach at New Iberia (La.) Senior High School.

In 2008, Hays returned to his college stomping ground for a stint as the defensive line coach and assistant defensive coordinator at Grambling High School.

Hays is a 2009 graduate of Grambling State, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He and his wife, the former Lekeshia Williams, have a daughter, Lilah and a son, Braylonn.

Troy University Athletics

Brock Hays Named Troy’s Running Backs Coach

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