Former Tennessee Football Player Expected to Join NFL Coaching Staff

Marion Hobby, a 2025 defensive analyst for the Vols, is set to become the Indianapolis Colts' new defensive line coach.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Marion Hobby, a former Tennessee football player and 2025 defensive analyst for the Vols, is expected to be hired as the new defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts. Hobby had a successful playing career at UT in the late 1980s and has over a decade of NFL coaching experience, including stints with the Saints, Jaguars, Dolphins, and Bengals.

Why it matters

This move represents an opportunity for Hobby to return to the NFL coaching ranks after spending the 2025 season as an analyst for his alma mater. It also highlights the pipeline of talent flowing from Tennessee's football program to the professional level, both on the field and on the sidelines.

The details

Hobby was set to join the Arkansas Razorbacks as their defensive line coach in 2026, but the Colts have now swooped in to hire him as their new defensive line coach. Hobby's NFL coaching experience includes stops with the Saints, Jaguars, Dolphins, and Bengals, where he helped develop players like Trey Hendrickson. He also has a history of success at the college level, winning a national title as co-defensive coordinator at Clemson in 2016.

  • Hobby spent the 2025 season as a defensive analyst for the Tennessee Volunteers.
  • Hobby was previously expected to join the Arkansas Razorbacks as their defensive line coach in 2026.

The players

Marion Hobby

A former Tennessee football player who is expected to be hired as the new defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts.

Trey Hendrickson

A defensive player who Hobby helped develop during his time coaching in the NFL.

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What they’re saying

“The #Colts are expected to hire Arkansas' Marion Hobby as defensive line coach, sources tell @CBSSports.”

— Matt Zenitz, CBS Sports Reporter (CBS Sports)

What’s next

Hobby is expected to officially join the Colts' coaching staff in the coming days, as the team looks to bolster its defensive line ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

Hobby's move from the college ranks to the NFL showcases the value of his extensive coaching experience and the respect he has earned throughout the football community. This hire represents an opportunity for Hobby to make an immediate impact at the professional level.