Marion Hobby enters his ninth season as an NFL coach and third with the Bengals in 2023. He leads Cincinnati's defensive line.
Hobby led a pass-rushing resurgence for the Bengals in his first season, as Cincinnati's 41 sacks (t-11th in NFL) more than doubled its total of 17 in 2020. He worked closely with free agent acquisition DE Trey Hendrickson, who earned Pro Bowl honors after his 14 sacks in regular season (fifth in NFL and second in team history). Hendrickson recorded at least a half sack in 11 straight games (Games 5-15), the longest such streak in team history and tied for second-longest in NFL history. During the regular season, four players — Hendrickson, DE Sam Hubbard (7.5 sacks), DT Larry Ogunjobi (7.0) and DT B.J. Hill (5.5) — matched or surpassed the 2020 team's individual high of 5.5. The line continued its dominant play in the postseason, recording 10 sacks over four games to help lead the Bengals to an appearance in Super Bowl LVI.
Hobby spent the previous two seasons (2019-20) as defensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins. In 2020, the defensive line powered Miami to top 10 NFL rankings in points allowed per game (21.1), sacks (41), forced fumbles (14) and third-down efficiency (31.2 percent). In 2019, Hobby headed the development of rookie DT Christian Wilkins, the team's first-round pick, who went on to lead all rookie defensive linemen with 56 tackles.
Prior to his time with Miami, Hobby spent two seasons (2017-18) as defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he led a powerful unit that helped make Jags one of the top defenses in the NFL. Jacksonville in 2017 ranked second in the NFL in sacks (55), scoring defense (16.8 points per game), total defense (286.1 yards per game) and takeaways (33), while four Jaguars defensive linemen totaled at least eight sacks. Under Hobby, DL Calais Campbell became the first player in Jaguars history to record double-digit sack totals in consecutive seasons (14.5 in 2017, 10.5 in '18).
Hobby has had two separate stints on Clemson University's coaching staff. The second was from 2011-16, when he served as co-defensive coordinator/
defensive ends coach. The Tigers earned two national championship game berths and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2016 with Hobby on staff. He also helped develop several NFL defensive linemen, including current Bengals DT D.J. Reader, who played for the Tigers from 2012-15.
In 2015, Hobby coached future first-round pick Shaq Lawson and future second-rounder Kevin Dodd, who ranked first and second, respectively, in the nation in tackles for loss.
In 2014, Clemson led the nation in total defense (260.8 yards per game) and tackles for loss (131). That year's line included future first-rounder Vic Beasley, who spent three seasons under Hobby and went on to become Clemson's all-time leader in sacks (33).
Prior to joining Clemson, Hobby spent three seasons (2008-10) as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Duke University. In 2008, the Blue Devils held opponents to just 23.4 points per game, the program's best mark in 20 years. One of Duke's key contributors during that time was former Bengals LB Vincent Rey.
Hobby spent 2006-07 seasons as DEs coach for the New Orleans Saints. In 2006, he helped late Saints DE Will Smith to 10.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl nod.
Hobby's first stint at Clemson came in 2005, when he served as defensive line coach. Powered by the defensive line, Clemson ranked 11th in the nation in scoring defense (17.6 points/game).
Hobby has also held assistant coach positions at Mississippi (1999-2004), Tennessee (1998), Louisiana-Lafayette (1996-97) and Tennessee-Martin (1995).
Hobby was an All-SEC defensive end at the University of Tennessee before being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 1990 NFL draft. He played three seasons with the Vikings and Patriots (1990-92).
Born Nov. 7, 1966, Hobby was raised in Irondale, Ala. (outside Birmingham). He and his wife, Constance, have three daughters — Maria, Mariah and Camille.
