Steve Haywood, the program’s assistant head coach, begins his ninth season in his second tenure as an APSU assistant.
Haywood, a former outstanding APSU offensive lineman, has gained a reputation developing standout offensive lines through chemistry. In 2006, APSU’s last season as mostly a non-scholarship program, he developed a line that produced for the first time a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000 passer in the same season–and nearly 4,000 yard in total offense. Using basically the same line that was recruited as non-scholarship players, Austin Peay produced a rusher (Chris Fletcher) who gained nearly 2,000 yards in APSU’s first season back in the Ohio Valley Conference as a scholarship program.
In 2008, after the Govs endured a plethora of injuries to skill personnel, the rebuilt offensive line helped produced an average of 26.4 points per game and a average of 357 yards total over the final five contests.
Haywood returned to his alma mater in 2000 as offensive line coach after serving one season as offensive line coach at the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.). In 2001, his career took a dramatic turn when he accepted the challenge as the Govs defensive coordinator.
In a short period of time, he helped develop the defense into APSU’s strength. He also assumed many other duties in his full-time coaching tenure and was named assistant head coach in Summer 2002. He served as director of football operations prior to McCray’s hiring.
When Carroll McCray was hired in Winter 2003, he saw Haywood’s indispensable attributes and retained him as the program’s defensive coordinator.
After serving four seasons as APSU’s defensive coordinator, he initiated the move back to offensive line in 2005.
The Huntingdon native has spent a lot of time in Clarksville. He first came to APSU in 1993 starting at tackle as a freshman. A year later he was shifted to his more natural guard position, where he for the next three (1994-96) years. He earned second-team All-OVC honors as sophomore and honorable mention his senior season. He also was voted team captain as a senior.
After completing his eligibility in 1996, he remained at APSU as a student assistant offensive line coach in 1997 and then became graduate assistant a year later, working with the defensive line, giving him a different perspective on line play.
Haywood received his bachelor’s degree in health and human performance in 1997 and his master’s the following spring.
A two-way lineman at Huntingdon High School, he was a two-time all-district and all-West Tennessee offensive line selection.
He is married to the former Kim Laub, a former Lady Govs tennis player. They are the parents of Lucy Ellen, age 2, and Hannah Kate, born May 18.
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