Worked With Head Coach Willie Taggart At WKU
Amazing Alonzo Hampton Back Story
TAMPA, JAN. 6, 2015 – USF Head Coach Willie Taggart today announced the addition of Alonzo Hampton to the Bulls' coaching staff as defensive backs coach. Hampton's addition leaves Taggart with one position remaining to fill on his USF coaching staff.
Hampton served as defensive backs coach during Taggart's final two seasons leading Western Kentucky (2011-12) and was part of the Hilltopper's historic turn around and the program's first-ever bowl appearance. At WKU, he coached a unit that rose to 34th in the nation in pass defense and featured current Oakland Raider safety Jonathan Dowling.
“I have known Alonzo for several years,” Taggart said. “He is an exceptional person who will be a strong mentor and relate very well to our student-athletes on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Alonzo and his family to Tampa.”
A former collegiate defensive coordinator and high school head coach, USF will mark the sixth stop for Hampton in a 15-year coaching career.
Hampton comes to USF after serving the past two seasons as a defensive backs coach and teacher at Tift County High School in Georgia (2013-14) where he helped lead the Blue Devils to an 8-4 record and berth in the GHSA Class 6A playoffs in 2014.
Prior to his tenure with Taggart at WKU, Hampton spent five seasons at Arkansas-Pine Bluff – including serving as defensive coordinator in 2010. Hampton joined the UAPB football staff in 2006 where he started assisting with coaching defensive backs before being promoted to cornerbacks coach in 2007. He took over the entire secondary as defensive backs coach in 2008. Hampton's secondary unit garnered national attention in 2008 as the Golden Lions ranked in the Top 30 in the FCS in pass efficiency defense (8th), pass defense (17th), and passes intercepted (29th). Additionally, UAPB ranked first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in passing defense allowing just 160.9 yards per game.
Prior to UAPB, he spent two seasons as the head coach at Dumas High School (Arkansas), also serving a minority internship with the Philadelphia Eagles during that period.
Hampton began his coaching career at Warren High School (2000-03) where he served as defensive coordinator and as the head coach of the track and field team. Warren posted an overall record of 48-12 in the four years Hampton was at the school, winning two state titles.
Hampton was a member of the football and track and field teams at the University of Louisiana–Monroe. While at ULM, he was named team captain in 1996 and was chosen to the All-Louisiana Defensive Back Team in 1996. Hampton holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from ULM and a master's degree in teaching from the University of Arkansas-Monticello.
His professional playing career included stints with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars as well as the NFL Europe's Frankfurt Galaxy. He started at cornerback in the World Bowl in 1998 and 1999, helping Frankfurt win it in 1999.
Hampton and his wife, Yolanda, have two children, Ashton and Alonzo, Jr.
USF returns 14 starters (6 offense, 7 defense and 1 specialist) for Taggart's third season at the helm. The Bulls will return their top five tacklers (9 the top 12 overall) and players that accounted for 73 percent of the team's tackles in 2014. USF returns 100 percent of its rushing and passing yardage from 2014, including 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack, and 50 percent of its receptions and receiving yards.
The USF Football program completed its 18th season and 15th at the FBS level. The Bulls have made six bowl appearances, including every season between 2005-10, and have four bowl game victories. USF has produced 14 All-America selections, 23 NFL Draft picks and reached the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press Poll in 2007.
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