The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Director of Athletics Chris Robinson announced in December 2023 that Alonzo Hampton has been named the Golden Lions' 22nd head football coach, bringing him back to his home state. The Warren, Ark., native returns to one of his previous coaching stops, having been with the Golden Lions from 2006 to 2010.
A name highly recognized throughout Arkansas and across the nation in college football, Hampton comes to UAPB after serving as the Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator under Terry Bowden at the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM).
"I am extremely excited about this new era for the Golden Lion football program and Golden Lion Nation and all that it will bring," said Robinson. "I am excited for the student-athletes, student body, university, alumni, and the community as we all come together to re-establish our brand. Coach Hampton has a heart for the student-athletes and a strong drive to have his team succeed on the field and especially in the classroom. He will bring a positive, contagious energy to the University."
Hampton, a four-year letterman as a defensive back at ULM (1993-96), returned to his alma mater to serve as assistant head coach on Bowden's staff. After working with the safeties in 2021, he assumed the responsibilities as special teams coordinator.
In his second year as UAPB head coach, Hampton offense was ranked in the top-5 in the SWAC Conference and had three student-athletes named SWAC All-Conference: Jaden Kelly, Javonnie Gibson, and Christon Love. Gibson led the conference in receiving and was named SWAC First Team All-Conference and FCS All-American. Love and Kelly were named to the SWAC All-Conference Second Team.
In his first year with UAPB, Hampton's linebacker unit was one of the best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), led by Rico Dozier, who topped the conference in tackles and earned First-Team All-Conference honors.
At ULM in 2022, Hampton's special teams unit (punting) ranked 29th in the NCAA FBS and second in the Sun Belt Conference, averaging 43.9 yards per punt (Devyn McCormick). In 2021, three of his safeties ranked among ULM's Top 10 in tackles, including Jabari Johnson, who recorded 58 tackles.
"I'm excited to be named the 22nd head football coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. This institution gave me my first opportunity to coach college football in 2006," said Hampton. "This is a special day for my family, and we are grateful as we look forward to pushing this program to new heights. Also, it means more to come back to your home state. I've already reached out to all my friends throughout the state and told them to go purchase their season tickets and come support the Golden Lions. Again, I can't wait to get there and start building something special that our administration, faculty, staff, alumni, and former players will be proud of for years to come."
Hampton worked as a defensive analyst for Chad Morris at Arkansas in 2019 and as special teams coordinator under Willie Taggart at Florida State in 2018. That year, FSU's D.J. Matthews ranked sixth nationally in punt return average (13.5 yards) and recorded a 74-yard punt return touchdown against Miami, the longest return in the ACC that season.
In 2017, Hampton served as a defensive analyst at Oregon. Prior to that, he spent two years (2015-16) at South Florida as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator, helping the Bulls to a school-record 11 wins and a No. 19 AP ranking in 2016. Under his leadership, the defense forced 26 turnovers and scored three touchdowns. He coached All-AAC cornerback Deatrick Nichols and return specialist D'Ernest Johnson.
Hampton has a 19-year coaching career that includes high school coaching in Arkansas and Georgia. Before joining South Florida, he coached at Tift County High School (GA), leading the team to the Class 6A playoffs. He began his college coaching career at Western Kentucky under Willie Taggart (2011-12), where his secondary anchored a top Sun Belt defense.
Hampton previously coached at UAPB (2006-10), contributing to the 2006 SWAC Western Division title. His 2008 defense ranked among FCS leaders in pass efficiency, pass defense, and interceptions. He began coaching at the high school level in Arkansas, leading Warren High School to two state titles and later serving as head coach at Dumas High School.
A former standout cornerback at ULM, Hampton earned All-Louisiana honors and finished his career with 201 tackles and three interceptions. He also competed in track and field. He holds a bachelor's degree from ULM and a master's from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Hampton played professionally for the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe, winning the 1999 World Bowl.
He and his wife Yolanda have five children: Aaron, Rashad, A.J. (a defensive back at Northwestern), Ashton, and Kenya.
THE HAMPTON FILE
Hometown: Warren, Ark.
High School: Warren (1992)
College: ULM (1996)
Family: Yolanda (wife); Aaron, Rashad, A.J. and Ashton (sons); Kenya (daughter)
COACHING HISTORY
2021-Present: ULM
Assistant Head Coach / Special Teams Coordinator
Assistant Head Coach / Safeties Coach
2019: Arkansas
Defensive Analyst
2018: Florida State
Special Teams Coordinator
2017: Oregon
Defensive Analyst
2015-16: South Florida
Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Backs Coach
2013-14: Tift County High School (Tifton, Ga.)
Defensive Backs Coach
2011-12: Western Kentucky
Defensive Backs Coach
2006-10: Arkansas Pine Bluff
Defensive Coordinator (2009-10)
Defensive Backs Coach (2006- SWAC Western Division Champions)
2004-05: Dumas (Ark.) High School
Head Coach
2000-03: Warren (Ark.) High School
Defensive Coordinator
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
1998-99: Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe)
1993-96: ULM
Four-Year Letterman / Cornerback
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE
2017 Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon
2016 Birmingham Bowl: South Florida
2015 Miami Beach Bowl: South Florida
2012 Little Caesars Bowl: Western Kentucky
1999 World Bowl: Frankfurt Galaxy
1998 World Bowl: Frankfurt Galaxy
#1Team1ROAR
