Penn State officially announces Marques Hagans as its new wide receivers coach
Penn State has found its next receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator. James Franklin announced on Monday that the Lions have hired former Virginia assistant Marques Hagans to replace Taylor Stubblefield.
“We are excited to add Marques to our family,” Franklin said in a released statement. “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.
“Marques is a relationship-based leader, whose family values align with the culture of Penn State. We are thrilled to welcome Marques, his wife, Lauren, and sons, Christopher and Jackson to Happy Valley.”
Hagans is the fifth receiver coach of the Franklin era in State College. He spent the last 13 seasons with the Cavaliers. His alma mater, Virginia, is the only place he’s ever coached. He was a graduate assistant for two years and a full-time staffer since 2013.
With a recruiting contact period underway, Hagans will hit the ground running. He’ll start traveling to high schools around the country in Penn State gear as soon as possible.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be led by James Franklin and work with his tremendous coaching staff,” Hagans said in a released statement. “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 boys cannot wait to get to Happy Valley.”
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A look at Penn State’s wide receiver room for 2023
Hagans has his work cut out for him during year one at Penn State. He must replace the top two pass catchers from a production standpoint now that Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley are both off to the NFL.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith is back with plenty of experience but inconsistent results. Then, a group of young players hoping to make their mark, such as Harrison Wallace, Liam Clifford, Omari Evans, Kaden Saunders , Anthony Ivey and Tyler Johnson, is joined by former Kent State receiver and transfer Dante Cephas, who is the oldest player in the room now, and former Florida State receiver Malik McClain, who will be on campus for spring practice.
There is hope for a few of those players to break out in 2023 for Penn State, led by ‘KLS’, Wallace, Clifford, Cephas and McClain. Hagans will have to make on-paper talent an on-field reality, though, by developing the group during spring practice and preseason camp alongside offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.
“All they have to do is put their head down and grind and just grind and not worry about anything. Block out the noise,” Yurcich told BWI recently. “How good can you get as a player? How much can you master your techniques and what we’re asking you guys to do? See the big picture.
