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Jonathan Hayes
Jonathan Hayes
from Wikipedia

Jonathan Michael Hayes (born August 11, 1962) is an American football coach and former tight end. He previously served as the head coach of St. Louis Battlehawks as well as tight ends coach for Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL), and the co-offensive coordinator for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). Hayes is currently the athletic director for Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Key Information

Early life

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Hayes was raised by his parents, Jewett and Florence Hayes. His father worked as a parole officer and his mother worked for 39 years as a teacher. Hayes attended and graduated from South Fayette Township High School in South Fayette Township, Pennsylvania.[1][2] Hayes's older brother Jay Hayes graduated from South Fayette Township High School three years earlier.[3]

Playing career

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Hayes played college football for Iowa from 1982 to 1984. Hayes was recruited to Iowa after graduating from South Fayette Township High School in South Fayette Township, Pennsylvania. He played under Hall of Fame Coach Hayden Fry at Iowa. As a freshman, Hayes played defense and started for Iowa at linebacker. As a sophomore, he switched to tight end, where he had 10 receptions and 1 TD catch. As a junior, he had 42 catches for 512 yards and 6 TD catches. He decided to leave college early and declared for the 1985 NFL draft following his junior year.[2][4] Hayes was named as an All-American following his junior season.[5] Hayes is part of a tight end lineage at Iowa that had Marv Cook, Dallas Clark, Tony Moeaki, George Kittle, Noah Fant, T. J. Hockenson and Sam LaPorta and others following him in the program.[6]

While playing at Iowa, Hayes was diagnosed with diabetes. He has worked with numerous diabetes organizations and sponsored events throughout his playing and coaching career to assist children and raise money for diabetes research.[1]

After his career at Iowa, Hayes was drafted in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft.[7][8] He played for the Kansas City Chiefs (1985–1993) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1994–1996).

Coaching career

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Oklahoma

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Hayes's coaching career began at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops. While coaching in Norman, the 2000 Oklahoma Sooners football team won the BCS National Championship Game. At Oklahoma, Hayes coached Trent Smith, who was named to the 2001 and 2002 All-Big 12 Conference football team.

Cincinnati Bengals

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Hayes joined Marvin Lewis's Cincinnati Bengals staff in 2003 and won 4 AFC North titles on the way to 7 NFL playoff berths. Hayes also coached several Pro Bowl players; Tyler Eifert (2015), and Jermaine Gresham (2011, 2012),

In January 2018, Hayes was the head coach of the East team in the 2018 East–West Shrine Game.

St. Louis BattleHawks

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On April 18, 2019, Hayes was announced as the first head coach and general manager of the St. Louis BattleHawks franchise in the revived XFL.

Dallas Renegades

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On June 9, 2022, Dallas Renegades head coach Bob Stoops hired Hayes to serve as his offensive coordinator for the 2023 XFL season.[9] With Hayes as offensive coordinator, the renamed Arlington Renegades won the 2023 XFL championship, with a 35-26 victory over the D.C. Defenders in the championship game.[10][11] His brother Jay Hayes, served as the co-defensive coordinator for the Renegades.[12]

Head coaching record

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XFL

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Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
STL 2020 3 2 0 .600 T-1st in XFL East 0 0 .000 TBD
Total 3 2 0 .600 0 0 .000

Personal life

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Hayes's son, Jaxson,[13][14] starred on the 2018–19 Texas Longhorns men's basketball team as a freshman and declared for the 2019 NBA draft. He was selected 8th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.[15] Hayes's daughter, Jillian, committed as a member of the 2020 recruiting class to play college basketball at the University of Cincinnati.[16] Hayes's wife, Kristi, was a scholarship basketball player at Drake and college women's basketball coach before getting married.[17] On January 29, 2024, it was announced that Hayes became the new Athletic Director for Moeller High School.[18]

References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jonathan Michael Hayes (born August 11, 1962) is an coach and former who played twelve seasons in the () from 1985 to 1997. Drafted in the second round by the out of the , Hayes appeared in 170 games, recording 153 receptions for 1,718 yards and 13 touchdowns across stints with the Chiefs (1985–1993), (1994), (1994–1996), and Washington Redskins (1997). After retiring as a player, he transitioned to coaching, serving as an NFL tight ends coach for teams including the (2004–2005), (2006), (2007–2008), (2009), (2010), and (2011–2018). In the XFL (later UFL), Hayes was the inaugural and general manager of the , leading them to a 3–2 record in 2020 before the season's cancellation due to the . He served as for the 2023 XFL champion Arlington Renegades and returned as of the BattleHawks in 2025, guiding them to an 8–2 regular season record before a 18–36 loss to the D.C. Defenders in the XFL Conference Championship. Since 2024, he has served as the athletic director at in , . Hayes was inducted into the (WPIAL) Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to football at all levels.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Jonathan Hayes was born on August 11, 1962, in South Fayette, Pennsylvania. He grew up in South Fayette Township alongside his younger brother, Jay Hayes, raised by their parents, Jewett E. Hayes and Florence Joy Hayes. The Hayes family emphasized a balanced upbringing, encouraging participation in both academics and extracurricular activities beyond athletics; Jonathan took trumpet lessons, while his brother learned piano. Early exposure to sports was shaped by strong parental support, with his father regularly attending local games from the sidelines, fostering Jonathan's initial interest in football amid the football-passionate culture of .

High school and early athletics

Jonathan Hayes attended South Fayette High School in South Fayette Township, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1981. During his time there, he focused on football, contributing to the team's success in the West Hills Conference. As a senior in 1980, Hayes played a key role in leading South Fayette to the West Hills Conference championship, a significant achievement for the small-school program. For his efforts, he was honored as the team's MVP and selected as the West Hills Conference Player of the Year, recognizing his impact on both defense and team leadership. His performance that season highlighted his athletic potential, drawing attention from college scouts. Hayes' high school accolades culminated in his selection to the 1981 Big 33 All-Star Game, an annual matchup between top and high school players that showcased elite talent to recruiters. This exposure, combined with his conference honors, facilitated his recruitment process, resulting in an offer from the , where he pursued his collegiate career starting in 1982.

College education and football

Jonathan Hayes enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1981 after graduating from South Fayette High School in Pennsylvania. He pursued a bachelor's degree in general studies, which he completed in 1986. During his time at Iowa, Hayes balanced his academic commitments with his athletic pursuits, though specific extracurricular activities beyond football are not widely documented in available records. Hayes transitioned to the Iowa Hawkeyes football team as a freshman in 1982, initially playing as a linebacker before switching to tight end in his sophomore year. Over three seasons from 1982 to 1984, he appeared in 34 games, recording 50 receptions for 602 yards and 5 touchdowns. His performance notably improved in 1984, his junior season, when he led the team with 39 receptions for 442 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors as a tight end. These achievements highlighted his development into a reliable receiving threat and blocker for the Hawkeyes, contributing to the team's competitive efforts in the Big Ten Conference.

Playing career

College playing career

Jonathan Hayes began his career at the as a linebacker in 1982 before transitioning to , where he became a key contributor to the Hawkeyes' passing attack under quarterback . Over , Hayes recorded 50 receptions for 602 yards and 5 touchdowns, evolving from a defensive specialist into a reliable receiving threat who helped Iowa achieve bowl appearances each year. His junior year marked a breakout performance, earning him recognition as one of the Big Ten's top s and second-team All-Big Ten honors from the UPI while solidifying his status as a team captain. In , as a freshman linebacker, Hayes appeared in 11 games for an 8-4 team that reached the , where the Hawkeyes won 28-22 against . Offensively, he registered just 1 reception for 7 yards, primarily focusing on defensive duties amid Iowa's balanced attack that averaged 23.5 points per game. His versatility was evident early, but the shift to came the following season to capitalize on his athleticism in the passing game. As a in 1983, Hayes fully transitioned to and played a supporting role in Iowa's 9-2-1 campaign, which included a loss to (6-14). He caught 10 passes for 153 yards and 1 touchdown, providing a dependable target in an offense that threw for over 2,700 yards led by Long. Hayes' blocking and route-running aided Iowa's undefeated regular season in the Big Ten, though a controversial tie with prevented a Rose Bowl berth. Hayes' junior season in 1984 was his most productive, as he emerged as Iowa's primary tight end on an 8-4-1 team that tied for fourth in the Big Ten and won the Freedom Bowl 55-17 over Texas. He led the Hawkeyes with 39 receptions for 442 yards and 4 touchdowns while earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from the UPI. As team captain, Hayes was instrumental in key victories, including a 3-yard touchdown reception from Long in a 17-6 win over Hawaii, and a 6-yard scoring catch in the Freedom Bowl to open the scoring in a record-setting offensive outburst. His contributions bolstered Iowa's pass-heavy offense, which averaged 27.6 points per game and featured Long's 2,710 passing yards.

Professional NFL career

Jonathan Hayes was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round (41st overall) of the 1985 NFL Draft following a standout college career at the University of Iowa. Hayes spent the majority of his professional career with the Chiefs, playing as a tight end from 1985 to 1993, where he contributed as a reliable blocker and occasional receiver in their offensive scheme. In 1994, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, continuing his role through the 1996 season and providing veteran leadership to the team's tight end group. Over his 12-year NFL tenure, Hayes appeared in 184 games, demonstrating durability despite the physical demands of the position. His career receiving statistics totaled 153 receptions for 1,718 yards and 13 touchdowns, reflecting his primary utility as a blocking rather than a primary pass-catching threat. Hayes retired from professional football after the 1996 season.

Coaching career

College coaching positions

After retiring from a 13-season playing career as a following the 1997 season with the Washington Redskins, Jonathan Hayes transitioned into coaching, drawing on his professional experience to join the staff in 1999 as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator under head coach . In this role, Hayes focused on player development for the tight ends position, notably guiding sophomore Trent Smith from a blocking specialist into a versatile pass-catching threat who contributed significantly to the ' offensive output. He also assisted in integrating tight ends into ' offensive schemes, emphasizing blocking, route-running, and red-zone efficiency, while overseeing special teams units that improved field position and coverage. Additionally, Hayes participated in recruiting efforts, joining fellow assistants in home visits to prospective tight ends and offensive talents to promote the program. Hayes' contributions were particularly evident during the 2000 season, when the went undefeated at 13-0 and defeated Florida State 13-2 in the , marking Oklahoma's seventh national title and first since 1985. He continued in his dual role as tight ends/special teams coordinator through 2002, helping maintain the team's competitive edge in the before departing for an assistant position.

NFL assistant coaching

Jonathan Hayes served as the tight ends coach for the from 2003 to 2018, spanning 16 seasons in the . During this period, he contributed to the development of the Bengals' position, emphasizing blocking fundamentals, route-running precision, and versatility in offensive schemes under multiple head coaches, including . Hayes played a key role in mentoring Tyler Eifert, whom he helped transform from a 2013 first-round draft pick into a dynamic receiving threat. Under Hayes' guidance, Eifert earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 after recording 52 receptions for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns, showcasing his red-zone efficiency and contributing to the Bengals' AFC North division title that year. Similarly, Hayes developed C.J. Uzomah, a 2015 fifth-round selection, into a reliable starter known for his blocking prowess and emerging as a receiving option; Uzomah amassed 102 receptions for 1,024 yards and 8 touchdowns over his Bengals tenure, providing consistency during injury-plagued seasons for the position group. His coaching influenced the Bengals' offensive strategies by integrating tight ends into both pass protection and run support, enhancing the unit's role in play-action concepts and short-yardage situations. This approach supported the team's seven playoff appearances during his tenure, including deep runs in 2005 and 2015, where tight ends like and Eifert provided crucial contributions in postseason games. Hayes' emphasis on player durability and technique helped maintain a competitive tight end room amid frequent injuries, allowing the offense to adapt effectively in high-stakes matchups.

XFL and professional league roles

Jonathan Hayes entered professional spring football as the and of the for the revived XFL's 2020 season, drawing on his prior experience as tight ends coach with the . Under his leadership, the BattleHawks achieved a 3-2 record in the league's abbreviated schedule before operations were suspended due to the . After the XFL's initial shutdown and subsequent revival under new ownership, Hayes returned to the league in 2023 as offensive coordinator for the Arlington Renegades, formerly the Renegades franchise. In this role, he helped orchestrate a potent offensive scheme that propelled the team through the playoffs, culminating in a 35-26 victory over the D.C. Defenders in the XFL Championship game.

Administrative roles

High school athletic directorship

In January 2024, Jonathan Hayes was appointed as the athletic director at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, effective January 29, 2024. The announcement highlighted his extensive background in professional football coaching, including roles with the NFL's and the XFL's Arlington Renegades, as bringing valuable expertise to the position. Hayes, an Archbishop Moeller alumnus from the class of 1981, expressed enthusiasm for returning to his to lead its storied athletics program. As , Hayes is responsible for overseeing more than 20 sports programs at the all-boys Catholic high school, which fields teams in football, , , soccer, , , , , and others as part of the Greater Catholic Conference and . His duties include managing facilities such as the school's , gymnasium, and fields; coordinating hires and ; budgeting for and travel; and ensuring compliance with athletic regulations. Additionally, Hayes focuses on initiatives, such as events, youth clinics, and partnerships with local organizations to promote student-athlete development and school spirit. Under Hayes' leadership, Moeller's athletics have seen notable impacts, particularly in football, where the team reached the Ohio Division I state championship game in the 2024 season—the program's first appearance since 2013—highlighted by standout performances from players like his son, Jonah Hayes. The program maintained its competitive edge into 2025, earning the No. 1 preseason ranking in Ohio high school football according to MaxPreps, and finishing the regular season with a 7–3 record before entering the playoffs. While no major program expansions have been announced as of November 2025, Hayes has emphasized holistic athlete growth, integrating faith-based values with competitive excellence to sustain Moeller's tradition of over 40 state championships across sports.

Head coaching record

2020 XFL season

Jonathan Hayes served as both head coach and general manager of the during the , guiding the expansion franchise to a 3–2 record in its five completed games. The team's performance positioned it as a contender in the East Division, tied with the New York Guardians for second place behind the undefeated at the time of suspension. Hayes' dual role allowed him to shape the roster and strategy from the outset, emphasizing a physical, run-oriented style influenced by his coaching background under . The BattleHawks' season began with a gritty 15–9 defensive win over the Dallas Renegades on February 9, 2020, holding the opponents to just 173 total yards. Key victories followed, including a 23–7 road rout of the New York Guardians in Week 2, where the defense forced three turnovers, and a dramatic 27–24 comeback against the Wildcats in Week 5, capped by a late touchdown pass. Losses included a 17–9 defeat to the Houston Roughnecks in Week 3 and a 23–16 setback to the Dragons in Week 4, both highlighting struggles in protecting the quarterback amid a league-high 22 sacks allowed. As , Hayes led player acquisitions through the XFL's positional draft in October 2019, selecting Christine Michael sixth overall in the first round to anchor the ground game and later adding Jordan Ta'amu, whose dual-threat ability propelled the offense. These moves contributed to the BattleHawks ranking second league-wide in rushing yards (779) and total offense (1,748 yards) despite finishing fifth in passing (969 yards), with Ta'amu leading the XFL in total offensive yards (1,267). The strategy prioritized ball control and reduced turnovers, resulting in the second-most points scored (97) in a season abbreviated by low-scoring affairs. The league suspended operations indefinitely on March 12, 2020, after Week 5 due to the escalating , preventing playoffs and leaving the BattleHawks' promising campaign unresolved. This halt, followed by the XFL's filing on March 20, underscored the vulnerabilities of the Vince McMahon-backed reboot amid global health disruptions, though Hayes' efforts established the BattleHawks as a fan favorite with strong attendance at . Hayes has not held any other head coaching positions in professional football leagues following the 2020 season.

Personal life

Family and residences

Jonathan Hayes has been married to Kristi Hayes (née Kinne) since 1999, whom he met in 1995 while both were in Kansas City and reconnected in 1998 following her recovery from cancer. The couple has four children—Jaxson, Jillian, Jewett, and —all of whom have pursued athletic endeavors, reflecting the family's deep ties to sports. , the eldest, is a professional player in the NBA, having been drafted by the in 2019 and later playing for teams including the and . Jillian Hayes competed in at the , while her brothers Jewett and Jonah have participated in multiple sports such as football, , and during their high school years at schools in the area. Kristi Hayes, a former high school standout who averaged over 50 points per game, has actively coached her children's teams, particularly in . The Hayes family has primarily resided in the , , area since 2003, when Jonathan joined the of the , allowing the children to attend local schools and engage in community athletics. This location became a stable base for the family, with Hayes hosting team events at their home during his Bengals tenure. Career relocations have occasionally separated Jonathan from the family; for instance, in 2020, he moved to , , to serve as and of the XFL's , while Kristi remained in with the younger children to support their sports schedules. As of 2025, the Hayes family continues to live in the area, where Jonathan serves as at , a role he assumed in January 2024 that keeps him closely involved in local youth sports alongside his family. The couple's children, now young adults and teenagers, maintain active lifestyles in athletics, with the family balancing professional commitments and support for their pursuits.

Community and philanthropic activities

Jonathan Hayes has been actively involved in charitable work supporting diabetes awareness and research, motivated in part by his own diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes during his college years at the University of Iowa. He has collaborated with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation) on initiatives to support affected families and fund research efforts. Additionally, Hayes serves on the advisory board of the International Diabetes Center, contributing to programs aimed at education and advocacy for diabetes management. A key aspect of his includes volunteer efforts with youth programs in the area, particularly through organizations that blend community support with athletic development. Hayes co-founded Hayes Huddle with his wife, Kristi, an initiative that provides mentorship and activities for young people facing health challenges, including annual camps for children with to foster resilience and community. During his time with the , he sponsored a dedicated section at known as "Hayes' Huddle" for children with , offering them access to games and events to promote awareness and inclusion. His involvement extends to , where he has participated in youth outreach programs emphasizing character building through sports in the region. Other engagements include Camp Shawnee, a nonprofit camp providing recreational opportunities for youth in , where he has volunteered to enhance programming for underprivileged children.

References

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