He didn't quit. He didn’t transfer. From backup to NFL draft pick....
Thad Wells@ThadWells
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May 17, 2025
~3 min read
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He didn't quit.
He didn’t transfer.
From backup to NFL draft pick.
And now one of the most respected coaches in the country.
This is the journey of Marques Hagans—a masterclass in patience, loyalty, and long-term impact.
He didn’t transfer.
From backup to NFL draft pick.
And now one of the most respected coaches in the country.
This is the journey of Marques Hagans—a masterclass in patience, loyalty, and long-term impact.
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Before Hagans could get a shot to shine on the football field, he had to wait behind Virginia high school and UNC Tar Heels legend Ronald Curry.
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Hagans career at Hampton didn't start as hoped.
In his first start for the Crabbers...
They lost for the first time in 41 games in a 5 OT thriller.
Here's the ending of that game:
In his first start for the Crabbers...
They lost for the first time in 41 games in a 5 OT thriller.
Here's the ending of that game:
0:30
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But as Marques would prove over and over again—adversity wouldn't stop him.
He quickly got the team going in the right direction and they eventually made it to the state championship game.
Here are the highlights from 1998:
He quickly got the team going in the right direction and they eventually made it to the state championship game.
Here are the highlights from 1998:
2:00
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Marques went on to become a 3 sport star for the Crabbers, joining the list of other Hampton greats:
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He originally planned to play for Indiana out of high school.
There he would have been replacing eventual NFL star Antwaan Randle El.
There he would have been replacing eventual NFL star Antwaan Randle El.
2:18
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Instead, Hagans chose to spend a year at Fork Union Military and then enroll at the University of Virginia.
After losing the starting QB job to Matt Schuab—another eventual NFL star—Marques chose to switch to WR instead of quitting or transferring.
After losing the starting QB job to Matt Schuab—another eventual NFL star—Marques chose to switch to WR instead of quitting or transferring.
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He competed.
He made plays.
He didn’t complain.
He did the dirty work.
And became one of UVA's top weapons.
He made plays.
He didn’t complain.
He did the dirty work.
And became one of UVA's top weapons.
1:04
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In 2004, Schaub was gone and Hagans became UVA’s starting quarterback.
That season, he led them to a 5-0 start and a top-10 national ranking.
In 2005, he helped engineer a win over #4 Florida State.
That season, he led them to a 5-0 start and a top-10 national ranking.
In 2005, he helped engineer a win over #4 Florida State.
0:38
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He threw for 306 yards and 2 TDs in that game.
Coach Bobby Bowden afterwards...
“We couldn’t stop that dadgum No. 18”
Coach Bobby Bowden afterwards...
“We couldn’t stop that dadgum No. 18”
0:34
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He left Charlottesville with a degree and a reputation as a do-it-all leader.
The NFL followed.
The Rams took Hagans in the 5th round of the 2006 draft.
The NFL followed.
The Rams took Hagans in the 5th round of the 2006 draft.
1:17
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After several years in the NFL, Hagans decided to turn his cleats in for a whistle.
He joined UVA's staff in 2011 as a GA.
He joined UVA's staff in 2011 as a GA.
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He was quickly promoted to an on-the-field assistant.
And over the next decade, Coach Hagans grew a reputation for building WRs on the field AND men of character off of it.
While at UVA he sent 7 WRs to the NFL.
And over the next decade, Coach Hagans grew a reputation for building WRs on the field AND men of character off of it.
While at UVA he sent 7 WRs to the NFL.
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Hagans eventually was named Associate Head Coach in 2022.
And in 2023, he joined James Franklin’s staff as wide receivers coach at Penn State—the position he still holds today.
And in 2023, he joined James Franklin’s staff as wide receivers coach at Penn State—the position he still holds today.
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He’s done it all.
He’s been the backup.
He’s been the starter.
He’s changed positions.
He’s played in the NFL.
He’s coached NFL guys.
He knows the road.
And he knows how to lead others down it.
He’s been the backup.
He’s been the starter.
He’s changed positions.
He’s played in the NFL.
He’s coached NFL guys.
He knows the road.
And he knows how to lead others down it.
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Through it all, Hagans never transferred, never sought an easy path, never complained.
He simply showed up early, stayed late, and earned every promotion.
Discipline and humility, every step of the way.
He simply showed up early, stayed late, and earned every promotion.
Discipline and humility, every step of the way.
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Follow Coach Hagans 👉 @coachmhagans
Follow me for more inspiring stories of today’s best coaches.
— Thad Wells (@ThadWells)
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Follow me for more inspiring stories of today’s best coaches.
— Thad Wells (@ThadWells)
And join over 6,000 other purpose driven leaders who get my emails 👇
thad.co
