ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State Athletics Director Seth Dutton has announced the hiring of Joel Worthington as the Reddies next head softball coach.

Worthington comes to Arkadelphia following four years as the head coach and sports information director at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Joel Worthington to Arkadelphia as our head softball coach," Dutton said. "During our search process, Joel's acumen, enthusiasm and pedigree of excellence stood out immediately. He is a perfect fit for the culture of our athletic department and will bring experience and a winning standard to our dugout. What he did in his time at Lane College was tremendous and we can't wait to see what he can build with Reddie Softball."

In Worthington's four years at Lane College, the program rewrote the school's record books, setting 15 new team records and over two dozen individual records. The Dragons went 32-15 this spring and made the school's first-ever appearance in the SIAC Championship game while also producing the SIAC Pitcher and Freshman of the Year.

In 2023, Worthington led the Dragons to a school record 35 wins and was named SIAC Coach of the Year. The program also garnered the SIAC Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year honors. Lane College ranked first in Division II in batting average (.374) and third in on-base percentage (.444), and finished the season No. 1 in the SIAC in 17 statistical categories, including slugging percentage (.535), total runs (384), hits (507), home runs (31), team ERA (2.49), strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.11), and shut outs (12).

"During the interview process, Coach Worthington inspired us with his vision for moving the softball program forward in a positive and innovative direction," Chancellor Dr. Trey Berry said. "He is very player-centered and we are all excited to watch the journey that Reddie softball is about to begin under his leadership."

Throughout his tenure in Jackson, Tennessee, Worthington's program was known for its offensive prowess and finished No. 1 in the nation in batting average in both 2022 and 2023. The .416 average that the Dragons produced in 2022 is the highest team batting average all-time in NCAA Division II.

In addition to its success on the field, the Lane College softball program was responsible for the school's last two valedictorians, placed the highest percentage of players on the President's List since 2021, and won the 2023 Commissioner's Cup for the highest team GPA in the SIAC. 

"It is an honor to be named head softball coach at Henderson State University," Worthington said. "I would like to thank our Director of Athletics Seth Dutton and Chancellor Dr. Trey Berry for entrusting me with leading this program. I'm confident that we can build on past success this program has experienced while elevating to new heights as we begin a new chapter of Reddies Softball."

Prior to his stint at Lane College, Worthington spent two years at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Worthington's 2017 edition of the Stillman Tigers finished 10-2 over the final 12 games of the season while hitting .455 as a team. The Tigers led the NAIA in triples per game, ranked third nationally in RBIs per game and fourth in runs scored per game. Four Stillman players were named NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes.

Worthington began his coaching career with nine years at the high school level where he coached football and softball as well as track & field. His teams won seven area championships and four state championships during his tenures at Flint Hill Christian School (FHCS) and Tuscaloosa Christian School (TCS). He also served as the Athletic Director at FHCS and the Dean of Students at TCS.

Before entering into education full-time, Worthington spent five years in theme park management, serving on projects in Alabama, Texas, California and North Dakota. A native of McCalla, Alabama, Worthington is a 2004 graduate of McAdory High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in Education from Liberty University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, and a master's degree in Sports Management from Cumberland University.