Michigan State retains wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State head football coach Jonathan Smith officially tabbed Courtney Hawkins as wide receivers coach, the program announced Monday afternoon.
Hawkins, 53, spent the past four seasons (2020-23) coaching wide receivers as part of former head coach Mel Tucker’s staff. Hawkins is the only offensive coach from Tucker’s staff retained by Smith.
“I have been very impressed getting to know Courtney Hawkins since I arrived on campus,” Smith said. “On the field, he has developed productive players who have made an impact both in the Big Ten and at the next level. He also has created strong relationships with his players and has great ties to the state of Michigan as a longtime high school coach. I’m excited to work with coach Hawkins and welcome him and his family to our staff.”
During his four seasons as Michigan State’s wide receivers coach, Hawkins – a Spartan alum – coached two future NFL Draft picks: Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor.
Reed was a two-time Second Team All-Big Ten selection in three seasons at Michigan State. He totaled 2,069 yards and 18 touchdowns during his time as a Sprartan. The Green Bay Packers selected Reed in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Nailor led the Big Ten in yards per catch during the 2020 season and finished runner-up in that category the following year. He finished his Michigan State career with 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Minnesota Vikings selected Nailor in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Hawkins also coached 2022 Third Team All-Big Ten selection Keon Coleman for two seasons before Coleman transferred to Florida State ahead of the 2023 season. Coleman logged 848 yards and eight touchdowns during his time at Michigan State.
Hawkins was a four-year letter winner at wide receiver for Michigan State. He played four seasons (1988-91) under former head coach George Perles. He was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection for the Spartans, and was a part of Michigan State’s 1990 Big Ten Championship team.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Hawkins in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played five seasons (1992-96) with the Buccaneers and four (1997-2000) with the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring from the NFL.
Hawkins began his coaching career at his alma mater, Flint (Mich.) Beecher High School. He spent 14 seasons (2006-19) as Beecher’s head football coach and athletic director before leaving for Michigan State in 2020.
Beecher’s football team made the state playoff 12 times during Hawkins’ time as head coach. Beecher won three conference championships, three divisional championships and one regional championship with Hawkins as head coach.
With Hawkins’ hiring, Smith has officially filled seven of the allotted 10 assistant coaching positions. Hawkins joined offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Lindgren, running backs coach and assistant head coach Keith Bohnapha, offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jim Michalczik, tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Wozniak, secondary coach Blue Adams and defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa.
RELATED: Michigan State announces hiring of six assistant football coaches, several support staff
SpartanMag reported Sunday night that Smith plans to hire Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi to the same position.
RELATED: Michigan State football tabs Joe Rossi as defensive coordinator
