Coaching Carousel Skips Henderson State – Scott Maxfield Stays Put

Henderson State University has extended the contract of head football coach Scott Maxfield through the 2016 season, allowing Henderson State to avoid the coaching carousel that has affected other schools in Arkansas, it appears.

Maxfield’s name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the head football coaching vacancy at the University of Central Arkansas.

“I appreciate the work Scott has done with the young men in our program and I am pleased that he will continue to build on the outstanding successes Reddie Football has enjoyed under his leadership for years to come,” said Henderson State President Dr. Glen Jones.

Maxfield, the 2013 AFCA Region Coach of the Year, has led Henderson State to back-to-back Great American Conference championships having compiled a 21-2 record the past two seasons.

“I want to thank the Henderson State Board of Trustees, President Glen Jones and Interim Director of Athletics Bobby Jones as well as incoming Director of Athletics Shawn Jones for having the confidence in me to continue leading the football program at Henderson State,” said Maxfield. “I look forward to and accept the challenge of taking this program to the next level.”

A two-time GAC Coach of the Year, Maxfield led the Reddies to their highest-ever NCAA Division II ranking this past season as Henderson State was ranked No. 4 in the final regular-season top 25 poll.

“Coach Maxfield has built something special at Henderson State, and I appreciate his loyalty and desire to lead the Reddies to continued greatness in the coming years,” said incoming Director of Athletics Shawn Jones. In the past two years, Henderson State has produced the GAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year with 33 players earning all-conference honors.

In 2013, the Reddies led the nation in scoring (53.3 ppg), total offense (576.4 ypg), and passing offense (428.4 ypg). Henderson State recorded its second straight undefeated regular-season as the Reddies were 11-0, tying a school record for wins in a season.

In his nine seasons at Henderson State, Maxfield has compiled a 60-36 record, three conference championships, has coached 75 all-conference honorees, 43 all-region selections, 22 All-Americans and three Harlon Hill Trophy finalists.

“We have built something special here at Henderson State,” said Maxfield. “The support of our alumni, boosters, faculty and the students has been incredible, especially the last two seasons.”

Maxfield and his staff will now focus on solidifying his 2014 recruiting class.

“With the success of our program, it has made it easier to recruit,” said Maxfield. “The staff has done a great job in identifying and contacting some of the best athletes around and I feel that we will have a great signing class in February.”

Maxfield has led the Reddies to seven non-losing seasons in the last eight years.

In his second year at Henderson in 2006, the Reddies finished with an 8-3 record. It was Henderson’s first winning season since 1995. The Reddies finished with a 7-3 mark the following year in 2007 making it the first time since the 1989 and 1990 seasons that Henderson finished with back-to-back winning seasons.

Henderson finished with a 6-2 record in the Gulf South Conference in 2006 and 2007 finishing tied for second both years.

In 2010, Maxfield coached the Reddies to their first conference championship in 25 years as Henderson State claimed a share of the GSC title. Maxfield was tabbed GSC Co-Coach of the Year, while quarterback Nick Hardesty earned Player of the Year honors.

Despite being limited to just five conference games, the 2011 Reddies finished second in their first year as members of the Great American Conference recording a 4-1 conference record including a 41-36 victory over conference champion Ouachita Baptist.

In the last four seasons under Maxfield’s leadership, Henderson State has combined for a 34-10 record overall and a 34-7 record against NCAA Division II opponents while claiming three conference championships.

The Reddies have also won 17 straight games against NCAA Division II Arkansas institutions and have won the last four meetings against Ouachita Baptist in the Battle of the Ravine. Maxfield has a 6-2 record against the Tigers.