Henderson State Director of Athletics Seth Dutton has announced the hiring of Brett Charlton as the new head coach of Reddies track and field. Charlton joins the department after a four-year stint at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas, where he served most recently as Head Track and Field and Cross-Country Coach after three years as an assistant with the program.
"We are ecstatic about having Brett join us in Arkadelphia as head track coach," Dutton said. "As we went through the search process, it was important for us to find someone who fits our culture at Henderson State and who could capitalize on the unique opportunity we have to rebuild the program. It was evident right away that Brett checked both boxes. His experience as a collegiate head coach and his deep recruiting ties in Texas will be paramount as he lays a foundation for Reddie track that will not only bring a large group of new student-athletes to our campus but will be built for sustainable competitive excellence."
In his lone year as a head coach, Charlton led the Saints to multiple Red River Athletics Conference championships in both track and cross country and was named RRAC Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year. His teams had 11 indoor and 16 outdoor NAIA National Qualifiers, including two NAIA Outdoor All-Americans. Charlton was also named RRAC Men's Track and Field Coach of the Year in 2025 and was a finalist for the USTFCCCA South Central Regional Men's Head Coach of the Year.
"Brett Charlton will be an excellent addition to our university community," Chancellor Dr. Trey Berry said. "His recruiting abilities and enthusiasm for our program will bring many successful student-athletes to our campus, and, with his instruction, Reddie track and field will quickly become contenders on and off the playing field. We are excited to bring this program back to the university."
Throughout his time in San Antonio, Charlton was known as an illustrious recruiter of talent. His roster at OLLU boasted over 100 students between indoor, outdoor, and cross-country teams and consisted of athletes from throughout Texas, as well as multiple other states and territories, including Kenya, Puerto Rico, and the United Arab Emirates.
In total, Charlton's athletes earned 45 individual conference championships, 47 athletes of the week awards, and set or broke a combined 59 school records. His teams featured NAIA All-Americans in Indoor and Outdoor relays, distance runs, and sprints and hurdles.
"I am honored to be named head track and field coach at Henderson State," Charlton said. "I would like to thank Seth and Dr. Berry for their vision and trust in me to bring this program back and to experience the success that Henderson has had in the past. We are excited to bring track and field back to Arkadelphia. Go Reddies!"
Prior to his tenure at OLLU, Charlton spent three years as an assistant coach at Eureka High School in Illinois, where he coached an Illinois High Jump state champion and 400-meter dash state champion along with a 4X400 meter relay national qualifier. His Hornets set eight records in his three years at the school.
Charlton is a 2019 graduate of Eureka College, where he was a seven-time SLIAC All-Conference selection in both track and field events, including field athlete of the week honors for his efforts as a long jumper for the Red Devils.
