JSU Hughes names LaMarcus Hicks as Safties Coach

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State head football coach Tony Hughes has selected LaMarcus Hicks to serve as his safeties coach. Hicks comes to Jackson State after a two year stint with the University of North Texas, where he served as the cornerbacks coach.

In his first-season with the Mean Green Hicks led the cornerbacks into record-breaking territory in 2014.

North Texas had seven different defensive backs with an interception in 2014, which was a school record for most DB’s in a single season with at least one pick. Five of those seven were cornerbacks coached by Hicks. Two Mean Green cornerbacks had interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Cornerback James Jones was named to the C-USA second-team in 2014 as he was the second leading tackler and led the team with nine PBUs.

Hicks, a defensive back with Iowa State who played professionally with the Detroit Lions, worked at North Texas after spending a season at Concordia University as the defensive backs coach. Hicks played for McCarney at Iowa State for two seasons and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2005 while leading the conference in interceptions. He earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice that season.

Hicks spent 2011 and 2012 at Truman High School in Michigan as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. In his first season at Truman in 2011, he helped the Cougars improve 15 points per game in scoring defense. In 2012, Truman went 9-2 and won their second playoff game in school history while allowing only 11.2 points per game.

Hicks began coaching in 2010 at Rhodes College as wide receivers coach. Three players at the position were selected as All-SCAC.

Prior to coaching, Hicks played professionally for the Detroit Lions at defensive back. He spent two seasons with the Lions.

Hicks, native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, received his Bachelor’s degree from ISU in 2006.

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