Hobby Leaves Clemson for Saints

CUTigers.com has confirmed that Clemson defensive line coach Marion Hobby has accepted an assistant coaching position with the New Orleans Saints.

After serving as Clemson's defensive line coach for one year, Marion Hobby is leaving the college ranks for the National Football League.

Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said late Wednesday evening that Hobby has accepted a position with the New Orleans Saints.

"There is no ill will with this move," said Koenning. "This was actually the second NFL team that contacted us about Coach Hobby. He is a hot commodity right now. We wish him well."

Hobby entered the coaching profession in 1995 coaching defensive tackles at Tennessee-Martin. He then served two years at Southwest Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette). In 1996, he was the head strength and conditioning coach, then coached the defensive tackles in 1997.

During the 1998 season he returned to Tennessee to serve as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. He then went to Mississippi in December of 1998 to serve under David Cutcliffe.

In his first full season on the staff as a defensive coach (1999), Mississippi ranked fourth in the nation in rushing, allowing just 78.1 yards per game. During his time at Mississippi, Hobby coached Derrick Burgess, a third-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection, who was a third-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2001 draft.

In college, Hobby had an outstanding playing career at the University of Tennessee between 1985-89. He was a three-year starter at defensive end (1987-88-89), a four-year letterman and served as the team captain for the 1989 season.

He was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as senior (1989) and was later named to Tennessee's 100-Year Anniversary team.

After college, Hobby was taken in the third-round of the 1990 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He played three seasons (1990-91-92) with the New England Patriots for a total of 42 games. He had five sacks, including three in his rookie year of 1990.