HAMPTON, VA. -- Two more additions to the 2018 football coaching staff were announced Wednesday by Hampton head coach Robert Prunty.   Hampton native Bobby Blizzard will be the wide receivers coach, while Kenyon Blue will coach the cornerbacks.

"I coached Bobby as a player at Hargrave and saw his fine collegiate and pro career," said Prunty.  "He's been a receivers coach and offensive coordinator under Hal Mumme who knows fast-paced football.  Bobby understands the offensive side of the ball and played high school ball for Mike Smith at Hampton, his ties here will used quite a bit as a recruiter in this area. "

Blizzard finished his fourth season with the Belhaven Blazers as the Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach under his college coach Hal Mumme last season. He was reunited for his third stint, and second as a coach, with Mumme when he joined the Blazers staff in the spring of 2014.

In his first season at Belhaven, Blizzard mentored wide receivers Greg Livingston and Darien Thomas, both of whom broke into the Belhaven record books in several passing categories. Livingston went on to lead the NAIA in receptions and receiving yards per game, breaking both of the Blazers's season marks. Thomas also ranked high in total touchdowns and set Belhaven records as well.

In the 2016 season, senior wide receiver LaMiquell Roberts set a new school record in receiving yards for a single game, totaling 220 yards on Sept. 1 versus Millsaps. Roberts also tied the single game receptions record that same game with 14 catches. Later in the season, Thomas recorded four touchdown receptions on Nov. 12 versus Howard Payne, establishing a new Belhaven record. Under Blizzard's coaching, Roberts earned First Team All-NCCAA, Thomas picked up Honorable Mention All-NCCAA while fellow wide receiver Nate Williams was named Second Team All-NCCAA. 

Blizzard came to Belhaven from McMurry University, where he coached for two seasons, the first under Mumme as the Wide Receivers Coach and Video Coordinator. In Blizzard's second season with the War Hawks, he coached the Running Backs under Mason Miller.

In 2012, McMurry's receiving core had 4040 yards receiving and 30 touchdowns. The 367.3 yards receiving per game would have ranked amongst the best in the nation, but McMurry was not eligible for national statistics due to the transition to NCAA DII. In 2013, the War Hawks running backs accounted for 1956 yards, averaging 177.8 per game, up from 66.1 in 2012.

Blizzard's first stint with Mumme came as a player at Kentucky on the 1999 and 2000 Wildcats' squads. Blizzard played for Mumme in the 1999 Music City Bowl. In 1999, Blizzard made 11 appearances as a freshman for Mumme, with seven catches for 76 yards. As a sophomore, the tight end/wide receiver had 23 catches for 199 yards.

After Mumme left Kentucky following the 2000 season, Blizzard transferred to North Carolina. After sitting out the 2001 season for transferring, Blizzard played in 12 games for the Tar Heels in 2002, recording 28 receptions for 440 yards and five touchdowns. As a senior, Blizzard played in eight games, grabbing 20 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. Blizzard finished his college career with 876 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

Blizzard followed up his college career with professional football from 2004 to 2007 as a tight end and wide receiver. He spent time with Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals. Blizzard also spent two seasons in NFL Europe with Hamburg and Cologne. He was named to the All-NFL Europe team in 2005 after totaling 335 yards and two touchdowns on 34 receptions with the Hamburg Sea Devils. In 2007, he led the Cologne Centurions in receptions (38), receiving yardage (494) and touchdowns (six).

Blizzard earned his Bachelor's Degree from North Carolina in sociology and worked various counseling positions in his hometown of Hampton, Va. while concurrently serving on the coaching staff at Kecoughtan High School. 

"Kenyon coached with me at Cincinnati and will be an asset in the defensive room," said Prunty.  "He's a very detailed defensive backs coach who teaches fundamentals, technique and will bring loads of enthusiasm."

Kenyon Blue joins the Hampton University coaching staff this year after serving as the defensive backs coach at Centre College in Danville, Ky. for two years.

Most recently, the Colonels placed three defensive backs on the All-Conference lists, including repeat first-teamer, Cal Lewellyn. Junior corner John Wilson garnered CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, along with his All-SAA Second Team nod.

In his first season, Blue helped Lewellyn earn SAA Newcomer of the Year honors after leading the SAA and ranking fifth in the nation with seven interceptions.
Blue came to Centre after two years as a graduate assistant at the University of Cincinnati, where he was the assistant defensive backs coach. Blue also has Division I graduate assistant at two other schools. He served as an assistant running backs coach at the University of Washington during the 2013 season that saw the Huskies reach the Kraft Fight Hunger bowl.

Blue was also an assistant coach for defensive backs, defensive linemen and wide receivers at Purdue University in 2012, a year in which the Boilermakers made the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

A native of San Diego, Blue was responsible for recruiting his home state of California during his graduate assistant stints at both Purdue and Washington.
Blue also has FCS coaching experience, serving as defensive backs coach at Western Carolina University as well as his alma mater, Idaho State University. As a player at Idaho State, Blue was named First Team All-Big Sky and earned his team's Special Teams Player of the Year award.

For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com