Hatfield is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he starred at defensive back for the 1964 NCAA Division I-A national football championship team alongside such pro football luminaries as Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones.

He is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Hatfield began his college head coaching career at the United States Air Force Academy from 1979 to 1983. Hatfield then compiled a 55-17-1 record during a stint from 1984 to 1989 at the University of Arkansas, and was also the head football coach at Clemson University from 1990-93, compiling a 32-13-1 record.

Ironically, the coach Hatfield succeeded at Clemson, Danny Ford, would eventually become the Razorbacks' coach in 1993.

One of the few remaining proponents of the conservative triple-option offense in college football, Hatfield has compiled a 168-140-4 record as a head coach.