HAMPTON, Va. (Oct. 16, 2024) … Interim head football coach Trent Boykin has officially been named the 22nd head coach in Pirate history, as announced by Director of Athletics Anthony D. Henderson Sr.
 

"I have known Trent since we both worked at the University of Akron, and I knew he had the skills, aptitude, and expertise to lead our young men into a new era of success," Henderson said. "He was the natural choice to lead this team as we worked through the transition in leadership this spring. Trent has been on our staff since 2020 and has earned the respect and admiration of his players and coaches. After serving as interim head coach for the first half of the season, I've been impressed with his ability to relate to his players and bring out the best in them. His coaching acumen and ability to unify the team are impressive. Therefore, we are officially naming Coach Boykin head coach of the Pirates."
 

A veteran with 28 years of collegiate coaching experience, including 10 years at the FBS level with Akron, Boston College, and Ball State, Boykin joined the Pirate staff in 2020 after serving as the running game coordinator at Akron from 2012-18.
 

Under Boykin's leadership, Hampton's running game has developed into the top unit in the CAA. In 2023, the Pirate ground game averaged a league-best 216.4 rushing yards per game. Elijah Burris rushed for 803 yards (114.7 yards per game) with eight touchdowns in seven games, while Darran Burris added 670 yards (74.4 ypg) and four touchdowns, giving Hampton the CAA's top one-two punch.
 

Before his time at Akron, Boykin spent a season as the running backs coach at Wayne State (Mich.), helping lead the Warriors to a 12-win season and an appearance in the Division II national championship game. In 2011, Wayne State boasted two 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in school history.
 

Boykin also served as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Lambuth (Tenn.) in 2010, following two seasons (2008-09) as the head coach at Lane (Tenn.). From 2005-07, he was the assistant head coach at Kentucky State.
 

Boykin began his coaching career at Akron in 1996 as an offensive graduate assistant, moving to Boston College in 1998 as an offensive graduate assistant before coaching receivers at Tiffin in 1999.
 

For three years, he worked at his alma mater, Youngstown State, as the wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator. From 2003-04, he coached special teams and running backs at Ball State.
 

"It is a tremendous honor to lead the Hampton program into the future," Boykin said. "I consider it a privilege to serve as head coach for a great, tradition-rich program. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to continue leading this team."
 

Boykin graduated from Youngstown State in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in organizational communication. He played for legendary coach Jim Tressel at Youngstown State, helping lead the Penguins to I-AA national titles in 1991, 1993, and 1994.
 

A standout receiver, Boykin's 150 career receptions rank second on Youngstown's all-time list, and his 1,950 career receiving yards place him seventh. In 1994, he was named the team's most outstanding offensive player.
 

In 2006, Boykin was inducted into the Kent Roosevelt High Hall of Fame.
 

He is the father of two daughters, Elivia and Brittney, and a son, Jaz. He also has three grandchildren.