Stan Hixon is in his sixth season as the Redskins wide receivers coach. In 30 years of coaching on both the college and professional level, Hixon has developed outstanding talent at the wide receiver position.
Hixon’s unit is led by a pair of veterans in WR Santana Moss (79 receptions for 1,044 yards and six touchdowns) and WR Antwaan Randle El (53 receptions for 593 yards and four TD). This marked the third 1,000 yard receiving season of Moss's career, and his second with 75 or more catches. Randle El's four receiving touchdowns also set a career high.
In 2009, Hixon will continue to oversee the development of a pair of young receivers taken in the second round of the 2008 draft.
Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly both saw their rookie campaigns hindered by injury, but each showed flashes of playmaking ability, and enters the 2009 season with high expectations. Hixon's successful college coaching experience makes him an excellent guide for young players like Thomas and Kelly.
Under Hixon’s tutelage, Moss had a breakout season in 2005--his first year with the Redskins--that ended with his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Moss set a new Redskins franchise record with 1,483 receiving yards on the season, surpassing the previous mark held by Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell (1,436). Moss also led the team in receptions (84) and average yards per catch (17.7) and was second with nine touchdowns. He finished second in the NFL in receiving yards and sixth in the NFC and 10th in the NFL in receptions.
Moss was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week twice after remarkable performances at Dallas (five catches, 159 yards, two fourth-quarter TD catches) and home against the New York Giants (five catches, 160 yards, three TDs).
Prior to joining the Redskins, Hixon coached four years at LSU (2000-03). He served as associate head coach in addition to wide receivers coach and was part of the Tigers’ 2003 NCAA National Championship team. He coached players to three 1,000-yard seasons and had a player named first-team All-SEC three times.
Under Hixon’s guidance, Clayton became the fifth 1,000-yard receiver in LSU history and the second under Hixon. In 2003, Clayton set the school’s all-time mark for career touchdown receptions with 21. That year, Clayton, Henderson and Green combined for 171 catches for 2,374 yards and 26 touchdowns.
In 2001, Hixon coached Reed to one of the most dominating seasons ever by a receiver in SEC history. Reed caught a school-record 94 passes for an SEC-record 1,740 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named an All-American and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to college football’s top wide receiver. Reed completed his three-year college career, two of which were coached by Hixon, with a then-SEC record 3,001 receiving yards on 167 receptions.
Prior to LSU, Hixon coached wide receivers at Georgia Tech (1995-99), developing a pair of All-ACC receivers in Campbell and White. He previously coached running backs for two seasons at Wake Forest (1993-94).
Hixon served as wide receivers coach at South Carolina (1989-92), producing All-Americans Brooks and Miller, and at Appalachian State (1983-88). He began his college coaching career overseeing running backs at Morehead State (1980-82).
Hixon was a standout receiver at Iowa State. He starred in the Peach Bowl in 1977 and the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1978.
Hixon is a native of Lakeland, Fla. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Iowa State and earned his master’s degree at Morehead State. Hixon and his wife, Rebecca, have three children: son Drew and daughters Adele and Avis.
