Hank Poteat is in his third year as the cornerbacks coach at Toledo.
Under Poteat’s guidance in 2018, senior Ka’dar Hollman matured into one of the top corners in the Mid-American Conference. Hollman led the MAC with 12 pass breakups, and was later selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
In his first season with the Rockets, Poteat mentored two cornerbacks — Hollman and Trevon Mathis — who played a key role in UT’s 2017 MAC championship season. Mathis registered three interceptions and a team-best eight pass breakups. He signed a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings following the season. Hollman, a one-time walk-on who started all 14 games at corner as a junior, intercepted one pass and broke up seven others, including two key deflections in the MAC Championship Game.
The Rockets ranked second in the MAC and No. 22 in the nation in passing efficiency defense in 2017. Toledo’s defense shut out Akron through most of three quarters in the MAC title contest, and held MAC opponents to 21 points or fewer in six of their seven regular-season league victories.
Prior to joining the Rockets, Poteat spent two seasons as the cornerbacks coach at Kent State. In 2016, Poteat coached a pair of All-MAC cornerbacks for the Golden Flashes. Senior Najee Murray made first-team All-MAC and was ninth in the nation in passes defended. Junior cornerback Jerrell Foster was 25th in the country in passes defended and made second-team All-MAC. In 2015, Poteat helped sophomore Demetrius Monday in a breakthrough year. Monday intercepted six passes and was named first-team All-MAC.
During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Poteat was a defensive graduate assistant at Pitt, working with the cornerbacks. The Panthers advanced to bowl games in both seasons.
A third-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2000 NFL Draft, Poteat played for five NFL teams over 10 seasons. He earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2004 New England Patriots. As a rookie, Poteat had a 53-yard punt return for a touchdown that sparked a 24-3 Steelers’ win over Washington in the final game played in Three Rivers Stadium.
Poteat began his coaching career working with the defensive backs at Kentucky Christian University for two seasons. He helped the Knights to a 7-4 finish in 2012.
A four-year letterwinner at Pitt (1996-99), Poteat was a cornerback and kick returner. He led Pitt in interceptions in 1998 and 1999, earning All-Big East first-team honors in back-to-back seasons. As a junior, he led the Big East and ranked fourth nationally with six interceptions. Poteat set Pitt records for both kick return yards in a season (764 in 1998) and a career (2,010), and still holds the career mark.
Born in Philadelphia, Poteat spent his early childhood there before moving to Harrisburg. He was a three-sport standout at Harrisburg High, starring in football, basketball and track & field.
Poteat earned his bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011. He and his wife Jasmine have two daughters, Ariana and Sierra, and a son, Tre.
Hank Poteat’s Coaching Experience
2017-19 Toledo – Cornerbacks
2015-16 Kent State – Cornerbacks
2013-14 Pittsburgh – Graduate Assistant
2011-12 Kentucky Christian - Cornerbacks
