BIO
Rickey Hunley, Jr. enters his fourth season at SMU in 2025 as cornerbacks coach and co-defensive coordinator.
Hunley, Jr., joined the Mustang coaching staff as pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach in December 2021. Hunley came to the Hilltop after spending three seasons (2019-21) as cornerbacks coach at Liberty under the direction of SMU Defensive Coordinator
Scott Symons.
Hunley’s unit played a large role in the Mustangs’ historic first season in the ACC in 2024, advancing to the program’s first CFP berth along with an undefeated mark in the first season in the conference.
SMU became the first team to go 8-0 in conference play after moving to a Power 4/5 conference from a Group of Five conference. The 2024 season also marked the first time the Mustangs went undefeated and untied in conference play in back-to-back seasons.
The secondary played a large role in the defense finishing in the top 25 in the FBS in multiple categories including: defensive touchdowns (5th, 4), passes intercepted (14th, 16), fourth down conversion pct. defense (17th, .415), third down conversion pct. defense (19th, .332) and red zone defense (24th, .767).
Thanks to their success during the season, Brandon Crossley and Jonathan McGill picked up All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades during the 2024 season.
The Mustangs' secondary wreaked havoc on the opposition in 2023, helping lead to the program's first conference championship since 1984 with an 11-3 record and going undefeated in conference play (8-0).
Hunley's unit played a major role in the defense finishing in the top 25 in several key statistical areas including: defensive touchdowns (1st, 5), third down defense (4th, .281), team passing efficiency defense (9th, 115.28), scoring defense (11th, 17.8), total defense (12th, 304.1), passing yards allowed (13th, 182.2) and red zone defense (25th, .778). The secondary saw multiple players achieve high-level and accolades during and after the season, highlighted by Charles Woods and Isaiah Nwokobia.
Woods excelled under the second-year coach's guidance, earning the All-AAC Third Team while leading the team in pass breakups with 11 and blocking a kick in the Mustang victory in the conference championship. For his great play, Woods signed with Los Angeles Rams immediately following the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nwokobia flourished under Hunley during the season, being named MVP of the AAC Championship, first defensive player to win the award. He also was named Best Defensive Back by Dave Campbell's Texas Football for his play.
In his debut season, Hunley and the Mustangs went 7-5 in the regular season, and closed the year with an appearance in the New Mexico Bowl, against BYU. Hunley’s unit contributed to the Mustangs’ 42 pass breakups, as well as helping intercept 10 passes across the season including a pair from Jahari Rogers.
In year one with the Flames, Hunley helped the program to its first bowl game in school history before going on to win back-to-back FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl titles (2019, 2020).
Liberty closed out the 2021 season with a win in the Lending Tree Bowl and finished in the top 20 in passing yards allowed (9th, 180.3), red zone defense (10th, .725) and total defense (15th, 320.2).
Liberty went 10-1 in 2020 and ranked No. 17 in the final AP Poll. The defense ranked 11th nationally in total defense (317.7), 12th in passing yards allowed (184.0), 22nd in scoring defense (20.5) and 23rd in interceptions (11). Hunley mentored cornerback Bejour Wilson, who signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals. The 2019 season saw the Flames rank 28th in sacks (2.69) and 31st in interceptions (12).
Hunley arrived at Liberty after spending one season at UIW (2018) as safeties coach and recruiting coordinator. The Cardinals reached the NCAA FCS Playoffs during its second year of postseason eligibility, posting a 6-2 record in conference play and winning the Southland Conference title. UIW led the Southland and ranked fourth nationally in turnovers gained (30).
From 2015-17, Hunley served as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at West Georgia, where he also worked alongside Symons. The Wolves made two NCAA Division II playoff appearances, posted a 12-win season and won the Gulf South Conference as well as the NCAA Division II Super Regional title (2015).
He also made coaching stops at Southwest Baptist (2013-14), Lindenwood (2012), Grandview HS (Mo., 2010-11), Drake (2007) and Theodore Roosevelt HS (Iowa, 2004-06), while also serving as an athletics academic coordinator at Iowa State in 2008.
Hunley earned his degree in social sciences from Drake in 2005. He and wife, Nakisha, have three children – Taylor, Raegan and Kamryn.
