PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania football team has added a 40-year veteran of collegiate coaching, including experience in the Ivy League, in Hank Hughes as its new defensive line coach as announced by George A. Munger Head Coach of Football Ray Priore.
 
Hughes replaces Malik Hall who recently was named head coach at Bates College.
 
Hughes has spent the past two seasons in the FCS after spending the previous 22 at the FBS level. After spending 2016 as defensive tackles coach at Lafayette, Hughes was linebacker coach and defensive run game coordinator with Davidson in 2017.
 
"I am thrilled to be able to add an experienced coach like Hank Hughes to our staff at this time," said Priore. "He has seen it all in collegiate football and produced elite defensive players at every stop. I've known Hank for many years, and he's passionate about the game and getting the most out of each student-athlete he coaches. He's won championships and produced Top-10 defenses throughout his career, and we look forward to him joining our staff."
 
From 1993 to 2015, Hughes coached at the FBS level. In 2015, he was defensive line coach at Nebraska where he helped the Cornhuskers to Top-15 FBS rankings in rushing defense and fourth down defense.
 
In 2014, Hughes served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Cincinnati when the Bearcats went on a seven-game winning streak to close the season and earn a share of the American Athletic Conference title.
 
From 2001-13, Hughes was on staff at Connecticut as the Huskies transitioned into the Big East en route to two Big East titles and five bowl game appearances – including the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. While at UConn, Hughes helped the Huskies' defense to three Top-10 finishes in total defense.
 
Before his time at UConn, Hughes was defensive line coach at Memphis from 1998-200, helping the Tigers finish No. 1 in rushing defense in 2000.
 
Hughes' previous college coaching experience includes stints at Harvard, Cincinnati and James Madison University among others, and he also spent two seasons in the professional ranks with the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football.
 
Hughes played linebacker at Springfield College, graduating in 1979.