Hampton Picks Van Malone to Lead Its Football Turnaround

A new coach arrives with clear duties and immediate work

Hampton University announced that Van Malone will be its next head football coach, a move meant to reset a program that has struggled to find consistency. Malone steps into the role immediately, taking charge of a program that needs fresh direction both on and off the field.

The hire was announced by Hampton’s athletic leadership, which said Malone will oversee all football operations, staff decisions and recruiting as the program prepares for the next season. The appointment follows a period of evaluation at the university after a string of mixed results. Malone arrives with years of experience in college football, and the expectation is that he will begin rebuilding day one.

A long road through college football: Malone’s resume in plain terms

Van Malone is a coach with more than two decades in college football. He has worked at a mix of programs, including long stretches in top-level conferences. Over the years he has held roles that focused on defense, player development and recruiting, and that mix shows in his reputation as a pragmatic, player-first coach.

Malone’s background includes time at Power Four programs where he coached against some of the country’s best teams. He is known for producing disciplined defenses and for finding players who can be coached up rather than relying solely on raw recruiting stars. His record includes several seasons where units he led improved noticeably from year to year — the kind of progress administrators often point to when they want steady, reliable rebuilding.

Coaches who have succeeded at the level Malone has coached usually bring a clear system. Malone’s teams have typically emphasized fundamentals: sound tackling, strong defensive alignment and a focus on limiting big plays. Offensively, his approach has tended to be pragmatic, built around controlling the clock and minimizing mistakes while the talent base grows.

What Hampton should expect: culture, systems and recruiting

The hire signals Hampton wants to rebuild the program’s foundation. First, culture: Malone’s history suggests he will focus on discipline, work habits and accountability. That usually shows up in practice routines, off-field standards and the kinds of leaders coaches ask players to become.

Second, systems. Expect Hampton to adopt a clearer defensive identity quickly. Malone will likely install schemes that suit current players at first and then recruit athletes tailored to his preferred style. That phased approach helps teams avoid an immediate collapse while the roster is reshaped.

Third, recruiting. Malone’s resume includes work in regions rich with high school talent. He should expand Hampton’s reach, targeting under-the-radar players who fit the system and tapping into transfer portal opportunities. Realistically, the roster won’t change overnight. Fans should expect incremental improvement in year one and clearer results by year two or three.

Voices from the program: measured optimism and real work ahead

Hampton’s athletic leadership framed the hire as a deliberate step toward stability. The athletic director called Malone a steady, experienced leader who understands how to build programs the right way, emphasizing character and consistent game plans.

Malone, in a statement, said he was ready to get to work and that he looks forward to building a team that represents Hampton’s values. Local supporters and alumni expressed cautious optimism, welcoming the chance for a new era but noting the long-term work needed to return the program to competitive form.

Players who stayed in town for the announcement praised Malone’s reputation for coaching fundamentals and creating clear expectations. The overall tone from stakeholders was practical: they like the hire, but they know coaching changes take time to pay off.

What comes next: staff moves, recruiting windows and the immediate calendar

The next weeks will be busy. Malone will name assistants who match his style, particularly on offense and special teams. Those choices will signal how quickly he plans to change the on-field identity.

Recruiting is urgent: the staff must secure commitments in the remaining recruiting windows and evaluate transfer portal targets. The schedule ahead includes returning players and early-season games where coaching changes often show their first real impact.

For fans, the key benchmarks will be tighter play on defense, fewer mistakes and measurable progress in recruiting. Success won’t arrive overnight, but the move gives Hampton a clear plan and a coach with a track record of steady program building.

Sources

• prnewswire.com