ARKADELPHIA -- Henderson State University head football coach Scott Maxfield agreed to a five-year contract extension with the university, it was announced Friday.
Maxfield, who completed his 13th year at the helm of the Reddies football program, was a finalist for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff head coaching position, but he notified UAPB Friday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration. The contract extension will run through the 2022 season.
"When you have been as consistently successful as Coach Maxfield has been here at Henderson State, others take notice and covet it for their program," said Director of Athletics Shawn Jones. "I also respect and understand the allure of exploring moving to Division I and the financial aspects of that. Scott and I enjoy a tremendous AD/Coach relationship, and I encouraged him to look over the opportunity presented to him.
"I want to be clear, not once during this process did Scott ask for a thing from me or Henderson State. However, Dr. Jones and I wanted to show Scott and Beth Ann we want them to be Reddies until he coaches his final game. He has earned that with what he has done at Henderson. I am thrilled they have decided to continue their tremendously successful coaching journey at the program he has rebuilt and established into one of the most consistently successful in NCAA Division II."
Maxfield has compiled a 94-48 record in his 13 seasons at HSU, leading the Reddies to four Great American Conference championships, three GAC titles and three NCAA playoff appearances. He has coached 227 all-conference players, seven conference player of the year selections, 64 all-region picks, 24 All-Americans and four Harlon Hill Trophy finalists.
"My wife (Beth Ann) and I love Henderson State University and the community of Arkadelphia," said Maxfield. "We have established some great relationships with the people throughout the community and at the University. We have built something special here at Henderson State and the support of our alumni, boosters, faculty and the students has been incredible."
Maxfield ranks second in wins in program history, and he is the only coach to lead the Reddies to eight consecutive winning seasons. Since the formation of the GAC in 2010, he has compiled a 68-22 record, the best among all four-year institions in the state. The three-time coach of the year also leads the GAC with a conference record of 54-12, including a 27-game winning streak from 2011--2014.
Since 2011, Henderson has been ranked nationally at one point during the season, reaching a top ranking of No. 4 in the AFCA Top 25 in 2014.
Maxfield was named the AFCA Super Region 3 Coach of the Year in 2013 after leading the Reddies to an 11-1 record and their second-straight undefeated regular season, and he was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual AFCA National Coach of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.
In addition to the on-the-field achievements of the Reddies, the team's grade point average has risen to a 2.80 during Maxfield's tenure in the spring of 2017, including six players with a perfect 4.0, and over 85 have earned all-conference academic recognition. Two players, Kelton Hays and Kevin Rodgers, earned Academic All-America honors, and Rodgers was also named the 2014 NCAA Division II Academic All-America Player of the Year.
Prior to Maxfield's arrival, HSU struggled to transition from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II level, earning just one winning season from 1993 to 2004 with a combined record of 35-90-1 in those 12 seasons.
Maxfield and his staff will now focus on solidifying his 2018 recruiting class.
"I want to thank the Henderson State Board of Trustees, President Glen Jones and Director of Athletics Shawn Jones for having the confidence in me to continue leading the football program at Henderson State," said Maxfield. "We will continue to strive to be the best program in the Great American Conference with the ultimate goal of winning the first national championship in school history."
Sports on 12/16/2017