Van Malone has heard the predictions.
He knows Hampton was picked near the bottom of the Coastal Athletic Association preseason poll after finishing 2-10 last season. He also knows what outsiders expect from a first-year head coach inheriting a rebuilding program.
He simply doesn’t care.
Instead, Malone says Hampton’s turnaround will be built on work ethic, discipline and culture — not preseason rankings.
“We definitely have to understand Hampton was 2-10 last season,” Malone said during CAA Football Media Day. “What would we expect other than being ranked in that same position? It’s our job to forge ahead with our plans.”
Malone, who spent more than two decades as an FBS assistant coach before taking over the Pirates in December, said one of the biggest reasons he accepted the job was alignment with university leadership and a belief that Hampton was ready to invest in football.
“I have a great group of young people that I get to work with every day,” Malone said. “We’ve assembled a dynamic staff… and I’m excited about where we have the opportunity to go this season.”
Building a new culture
Rather than focusing on wins and losses from last season, Malone said his first priority has been establishing a foundation built on effort.
He has already noticed one encouraging sign.
“Our players want to work,” he said. “I got a call from one of the local stadiums that said, ‘Coach, your players are trying to hop our fence on the weekends to work on our field.’ If you have to tell your players ‘whoa’ instead of ‘go,’ I think that’s a positive thing.”
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Malone believes that mentality will eventually translate to success when adversity arrives during the season.
“We’re going to have adversity,” he said. “What I want to see is how we respond to those adversities. That’s where you take pride as a coach.”
SWAC transfer QB embracing leadership role
One of the biggest additions to Hampton’s roster is quarterback Jalen Woods, a transfer from Southern who missed most of last season because of a concussion.
Woods said he is fully healthy and eager for a fresh start.
“First and foremost, I feel great. I’m 100 percent healthy,” Woods said. “What attracted me to Hampton was the opportunity to come play for Coach Malone and build something special.”
The relationship between Woods and Malone dates back to the quarterback’s high school recruiting days.
“When I entered the transfer portal, we rekindled,” Woods said. “Coach Malone is definitely a coach that I can relate to.”
As Hampton’s projected starting quarterback, Woods said his biggest responsibility is leading the offense.
“My knowledge of the game has definitely excelled,” Woods said. “I’ll be able to bring my leadership and my command of the offense. Being a leader is doing the same thing over and over until it becomes repetition and others can latch onto that.”
Defining a Van Malone team
Asked what fans can expect from his football program, Malone offered a simple blueprint.
“We’re going to out-hit you,” he said. “We’re going to outsmart our opponents. And we’re going to outwork you.”
After studying film from Hampton’s 2024 season, Malone concluded talent was never the biggest issue.
“We have talent,” he said. “At the crucial moments in the game, we didn’t have the discipline. We unraveled.”
That realization has fueled Hampton’s offseason emphasis on accountability and cohesion.
“We’re caring more about the process than the results,” Malone said.
