Haywood, 44, succeeds Shane Montgomery, who resigned Nov. 29 after the RedHawks posted a 2-10 record this season.

Haywood has been Notre Dame's offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the past four years. He was a four-year letterman at Notre Dame, from which he was graduated in 1986.

He will remain with the Fighting Irish for their Hawaii Bowl game Wednesday against Hawaii.

Prior to coaching at Notre Dame, Haywood spent two years at Texas (2003-04) as running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He also spent eight seasons at LSU (1995-2002) and has coached at Ball State (1993-94), Ohio (1991-92), Army (1989-90) and Minnesota (1988).