Hobby Comments on Move to NFL

Clemson defensive line coach Marion Hobby has accepted a similar position with the New Orleans Saints. The announcement was made by the Saints Thursday.

Hobby spent the 2005 season with the Tigers, helping Clemson to an 8-4 record, including six wins in the last seven games of the season that led to a top 25 ranking in both final polls.

Hobby, a former defensive end with the New England Patriots (1990-92), helped the Tigers to a number-11 national ranking in scoring defense. The Tigers were 13th in the nation in tackles for loss, 20th in total defense, 25th in quarterback sacks and 25th in rushing defense.

Hobby developed a young group of defensive linemen over the course of the season, contributing to Clemson's defensive improvement over the course of the year. The improvement culminated in the victory over Colorado in the Champs Sports Bowl when Clemson held the Buffaloes to just 124 yards in total offense and 17 yards rushing, the best defensive figures by any of the 56 teams that played in a bowl game this past year. Two players he coached, Rashaad Jackson and Phillip Merling, were named to various freshman All-America teams.

"I can't thank coach Tommy Bowden enough for the opportunity to work at Clemson University," said Hobby. "This is an experienced, outstanding staff that has this program headed in the right direction. I really enjoyed coaching here and living here. The atmosphere at Clemson on game-day is second to none.

"But, from the time I was a player with the Patriots, I have always wanted to coach in the NFL. This is a dream come true for me. It is coaching at the highest level of the game."

"Marion Hobby has a well earned reputation as an outstanding teacher of the game and he will be successful coaching in the NFL," said Bowden. "He played the game at that level.

"He had a very positive impact on our defense that improved over the course of the year to the point where we finished in the top 25 nationally in all four of the major defensive categories. He really brought along a young group of players over the course of the season. We wish him well in his career at the professional level."