#FlashBackFriday - Honoring Muskingum championships, All-Americans and Hall of Fame members

Darrell Hazell '86, who retired as the wide receivers coach for the National Football League's Minnesota Vikings after the 2018 season, has twice served as an NCAA Division I college coach, with Kent State from 2011 to 2012 and with Purdue from 2013 to 2016.

Hazell, attended Cinnaminson High School in Cinnaminson Township, New Jersey, before enrolling at Muskingum and becoming a member of the football and track teams. He graduated from Muskingum in 1986.

During his time at Muskingum, Hazell was a three-time all-conference selection as a wide receiver. As a senior, he earned All-America honors and was voted a team captain. He held University records for most receptions (132) and receiving yards (1,966) until 2013. Hazell was inducted into the Muskingum Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

Before becoming a collegiate head coach, Hazell held assistant coaching positions at Ohio State (2004-10), Rutgers (2001-03), West Virginia (1999-2000), the U.S. Military Academy (1997-98), Western Michigan (1995-96), Pennsylvania (1992-94), Eastern Illinois (1988) and Oberlin (1986-87, 1989-91). At Ohio State, Hazell was assistant head coach and wide receivers coach under Jim Tressel. From 2005 to 2010, the Buckeyes won six consecutive Big Ten Conference championships and played in six straight BCS bowls, including appearances in the 2007 and 2008 national championship games. 

In his first year at the helm of Kent State, he led the Golden Flashes to wins in four of its final five games and had the team playing for bowl eligibility in their last contest. In his second year, Hazell was named the 2012 MAC Coach of the Year after leading Kent State to a school-record 11 wins en route to becoming the first Mid-American Conference East team to finish 8-0 in the league since 2003 and was ranked as high as No. 17 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. 

Hazell was the head coach at Purdue from 2013-16 before being hired as the wide receivers coach for the Vikings. While at Minnesota, Hazell helped lead the team to a playoff berth and an appearance in the NFC Championship game.