Rodney Hughey begins his tenth season as Assistant Coach of the Livingstone College football program. Hughey was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2013, after serving as Defensive Back Coach since the 2010 season. In addition to serving as Defensive Coordinator, Hughey also earned the title of Assistant Head Coach. He also assists with the Blue Bears’ strength and conditioning.
During the 2010 season, Hughey coached the Blue Bear defensive backs to the top pass defense in the CIAA while ranking in the NCAA Division II top 25. In 2011 Hughey’s defensive backfield led the CIAA in interceptions while finishing in the NCAA Division II top 10. The 2011 defensive backfield garnered national recognition when Justin Avery was named an All-American. Kirkland Davidson and Devonta Harmon were both invited to nation All-Star games. During the 2012 season, Hughey’s defensive backs continued to gain honors from the CIAA, earning Defensive Back of the Week honors throughout the 2012 season. Since 2013 Hughey has led a transformed Defense taking a defense that was ranked last in the Conference and last in Divison II out of 158 teams to #6 in the Conference and as high as #50 in Division II. The Livingstone College “Sharks In The Tank” Defense has ranked amongst the nation’s best in Total Defense, Rush Defense, Red zone defense and first and third down defense, in 2018 Hughey’s defense ranked #1 in the CIAA for total defense.
Prior to Livingstone, Hughey served as Northern Iowa Community College’s Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. While at Northern Iowa, Hughey coached the 2008 defense to a top 10 ranking in total defense. This same defense ranked number one in the country for pass defense efficiency while producing four NJCAA All-Americans. Each of Hughey’s four starting defensive backs of the 2008 season went on to transfer to Division I schools to continue their football careers. Based on his performance as a coach for Northern Iowa, Hughey was invited to coach the defensive backs in the 2009 NAIA All-Star game in Kansas City, MO. Prior to Northern Iowa, Hughey worked at Concord University as assistant defensive backs coach where he produced two All-Conference defensive backs during the 2007 season.
Hughey, a Detroit, MI native, graduated from Concord University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Special Education. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Behavior Science with an emphasis in Counseling from Concord University as well as a Master’s Degree in Education from Ashford University. Hughey was a two-time All-State selection in high school before taking his talents to Riverside Community College where he earned All-Mission Conference honors in 2001 before transferring to Concord University in January 2004 which competed in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). Hughey was a star defensive back earning an All-American in 2006. All-Conference selection from 2004-2006. Hughey also earned team Most Valuable Player in 2004 and 2005. In January of 2007, Hughey was selected to take part in the Cactus Bowl. Hughey garnered Most Valuable Player for his performance. After college played professionally in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Columbus Destroyers. Hughey help guide the Destroyers to the 2007 Arena Bowl Championship. Coach Hughey is a proud father of Rashaun, Riley, and Mia Hughey and he currently resides in Greensboro, NC.
