Jonathan Hayes Position: Tight Ends Coach/Special Team Coord.

After successful 12 seasons in the National Football League, Jonathan Hayes has taken his football career in a brand new direction. Serving as an assistant coach for the first time in his football career, Hayes made an immediate impact working with Sooner tight ends who had a combined seven catches in 1998 and special team units that had ranked near the bottom of the league and national standings.

In just 11 months, Hayes not only turned OU’s tight ends into major contributors to the high-powered offense (53 total catches and four touchdowns), he also had the special teams ranked inside the top 10 nationally in several categories.

Hayes began his NFL career as a second-round draft choice (42nd pick overall and first tight end selected) of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1985. In his nine seasons with Kansas City he became the third-best receiving tight end in franchise history and was regarded as one of the most dominant blockers in the NFL. Playing in 168 games in Kansas City (109 as a starter), his best season came in 1993 when he recorded career-high’s in receptions (24) and yards (331).

In 1994, Hayes signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an unrestricted free agent. While he recorded 18 catches for 177 yards and one touchdown in the black and gold, he was a vital part of Steeler squads that played three AFC Championship games and participated in the 1996 Super Bowl. For his career, Hayes caught 153 passes for 1,718 yards and 14 touchdowns.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Iowa, Hayes played tight end in just his final two seasons. He finished with 50 career receptions for 602 yards and five touchdowns. His first two seasons with the Hawkeyes was spent as a linebacker, including the 1982 campaign when he played on the same unit with current OU head coach Bob Stoops. Hayes earned first-team All-America honors by Gannett News Service as a senior.

Since leaving the NFL following the 1996 season, Hayes has been using his football knowledge and experiences in the radio and television booth’s in Kansas City. He is a certified enforcement officer in the state of Missouri and has had articles published about his battle with Diabetes. His inspirational book “Necessary Toughness” detailed his fight against the condition helped him earn the “Distinguished Service to Fight Against Diabetes Award” from the Pittsburgh Diabetes Association.

Hayes’ older brother, Jay, who played in the NFL for Detroit (’82) and Washington (’83), and two seasons (‘84-’85) for the Memphis Showboats of the USFL, is beginning his second season as the special teams coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hayes, 37, and his wife, Kristi, are the proud parents of a son, Jaxson, who was born this summer. Hayes’ older brother, Jay, who played in the NFL for Detroit (’82) and Washington (’83), and two seasons (‘84-’85) for the Memphis Showboats of the USFL, is beginning his second season as the special teams coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Hayes File

• Birthdate: August 11, 1962
• Hometown: South Fayette, Pa.
• High School Education: South Fayette High School
• College Education: University of Iowa (1984)
• Other Degree: C.M.S.U. Police Academy (1996)
• Martial Status: Married to the former Kristi Kinne
• Child: Son, Jaxson

Coaching Experience

Professional Career