During the offseason, we have seen a couple of UFL coaches take jobs at the collegiate level. Renegades DC Jay Hayes and Showboats OC Noel Mazzone are amongst the latest to earn opportunities, both in different ways.
DC Jay Hayes: Arkansas Razorbacks
Jay Hayes is a spring veteran when it comes to coaching. He’s been around the block with the St. Louis Battlehawks, TSL’s Jousters, and most recently the Arlington Renegades for three seasons.
Hayes led one of the stronger defensive units in the UFL this past year in Arlington. He was Co-Defensive Coordinators with Marvin Sanders.
Now, he has joined the Arkansas Razorbacks coaching staff for the remainder of the season. With all of the coaching movement over there as of late, former Roughnecks DC Chris Wilson was promoted from assistant D-Line coach, to interim Defensive Coordinator. This opened up the opportunity for Hayes to team up with Wilson in Arkansas.
OC Noel Mazzone: UCLA
NEW: Saguaro offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone is leaving to take on an offensive analyst role at UCLA, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday’s report from the Los Angeles Times to Arizona Varsity.@AZHSFB
— Adam Beadle (@therealbeadle) October 3, 2025
UCLA is another college program that has seen turnover at the coaching position early in the year. Jerry Neuheisel is the team’s Offensive Coordinator – the first time he’s held such a position.
With this in mind, Noel Mazzone now joins UCLA’s staff as an Offensive Analyst. He’s someone who has a plethora of knowledge in this scene as a play caller, coaching for over 40 years at various levels. Noel has been in the USFL and UFL, with the New Orleans Breakers and Memphis Showboats.
Most recently, he took over playcalling duties for Memphis midway through this past UFL season, as the Showboats dealt with the loss of HC Ken Whisenhunt to health issues.
What are your thoughts on Jay Hayes making his way to Arkansas? Will Noel Mazzone return to the UFL in 2026? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
