Penn State hires Virginia assistant as wide receivers coach [updated]

Jan. 23—Longtime Virginia assistant coach Marques Hagans was named Monday as Penn State's new wide receivers coach.

The 40-year-old Hagans, who has been on the Cavaliers' coaching staff since 2011, replaces Taylor Stubblefield, who was fired last week by Nittany Lions coach James Franklin.

"We are excited to add Marques to our family," Franklin said in a statement released by Penn State. "He is a veteran coach whose experiences playing both quarterback and wide receiver at the highest levels will bring tremendous value to our program.

"Marques has a proven track record of developing receivers throughout his career and has worked alongside many coaches I respect."

Hagans began his coaching career as a Virginia graduate assistant and then became wide receivers coach in 2013. He coached three seasons (2011-13) with former Cavaliers All-American Anthony Poindexter, Penn State's safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator.

Hagans coached 10 of the top 15 receivers in Virginia history, including Olamide Zaccheaus and his program-record 250 receptions. Zaccheaus, who's with the Atlanta Falcons, had 2,753 career receiving yards from 2015-18 at Virginia.

In 2022, Hagans guided Keytaon Thompson to All-Atlantic Coast Conference third-team honors after averaging 6.6 receptions and 72.4 receiving yards per game before he was injured.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be led by James Franklin and work with his tremendous coaching staff," Hagans said in a statement released by Penn State. "I am excited to be part of the tradition of Penn State football, to uphold the standard of excellence and to work relentlessly to compete for championships.

"My wife, Lauren, and our (two) boys cannot wait to get to Happy Valley."

He played quarterback at Virginia from 2001-05, throwing for 4,877 yards and gaining 5,779 total yards. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft and also spent time with Kansas City, Indianapolis and Washington before retiring in 2010.

Penn State loses its top two receivers, Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley. Washington decided to make himself available for the NFL draft after three seasons with the Lions, and Tinsley's eligibility expired.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith returns, along with Harrison Wallace III, Omari Evans, Kaden Saunders, Tyler Johnson, Anthony Ivey, Malick Meiga, Liam Clifford and incoming freshman Carmelo Taylor.

Penn State added wide receivers Dante Cephas (Kent State) and Malik McClain (Florida State) last week from the transfer portal.

With Parker Washington leaving the Nittany Lions for the NFL after three seasons and Mitchell Tinsley's eligibility expired, they've been struggling to recruit wide receivers from the NCAA transfer portal to join returning veterans KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans.