Bengal Football Names John Hughes New Offensive Line Coach

POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State football Head Coach Cody Hawkins has announced that John Hughes will join the Bengal Gridiron program as the new offensive line coach. Hughes comes to the Bengals from Utah Tech where he spent the previous five seasons as co-offensive coordinator while coaching the offensive line for the Trailblazers.

"John Hughes is the perfect coach to succeed Mark Weber as our offensive line coach," remarked Head Coach Cody Hawkins. "No one on the planet will be able to slide in and help elevate our guys like the one we have just hired. John is, first and foremost, a wonderful husband and father. He's an accomplished coach who played the position, has experience in the Big Sky, at the Power 5 level, and has coached the offensive line in a scheme similar with great success. He's a veteran coach with a youthful enthusiasm and wisdom beyond his years. We can't wait to get to work and help push this program into Phase 2. Please join me in welcoming John, his wife, Kercia, and their three children to Pocatello!" 

In 2022, Coach Hughes mentored an offensive line that helped produce the WAC's top passing offense (310.36 ypg) and led the conference in passing touchdowns (28), and was second in the WAC in total offense (425.36 ypg).

That Trailblazer offensive line also opened running lanes for the WAC's leading rusher (Quali Conley 1,095 yds - UT school record/8 TDs).

In the program's first FCS season in the spring of 2021, he coached an offensive line that surrendered only six sacks in 194 total pass attempts in five games, while the Blazer offense averaged 420.8 yards a game, including 122.4 yards rushing.

In his first season with the Trailblazer program in 2019, Hughes led an offensive line that produced the Trailblazers' career rushing touchdowns leader and provided protection for a Blazer passing game that set a program single-season record with 31 passing touchdowns. Additionally, three UT offensive linemen earned All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors.

Hughes came to Utah Tech after serving as offensive line coach at Western Colorado during the 2018 season.

Prior to Western Colorado, Hughes served two years  (2016-18) as a graduate assistant on the offensive line at the University of Colorado. Hughes helped the Buffaloes to their most wins since 2001 during the 2016 season. He was an integral part of the support staff en route towards the Buffs' Pac-12 championship game appearance.

At CU, Hughes oversaw all breakdowns of opponents' defensive schemes, specializing in their front seven, stunts, and pressures. Along with various other duties, Hughes prepared weekly scouting reports, oversaw individual position drill work with the offensive line and assisted in the recruitment of offensive linemen.

Hughes joined CU after a stint at the University of Akron, serving as a graduate assistant on defense working with the linebackers for the 2015 season. The previous two years (2013-14), he was a defensive assistant and the assistant defensive line coach for Sacramento State.

He started his coaching career at his alma mater, Humboldt State University, where he was the tight ends coach in 2012.

Hughes graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Communication from Humboldt State in 2012, earning All-GNAC Academic Team honors his junior and senior years. Prior to his time at HSU, he was a three-year starter on the offensive line after starting his collegiate career at Western Washington.

He earned his Master's degree in Sport Science and Coaching Administration at Akron in May 2016. John and his wife Kercia, are the parents of three children - daughter Ridgley, and sons John and Dean.