(Story courtesy of Hendrix College)
CONWAY, Ark. - Hendrix College has named Justin
“Buck” Buchanan head coach of its first men’s
football team in 52 years.
Hendrix announced last spring that it will join the
non-scholarship NCAA Division III Southern Athletic Association in
the 2012-2013 academic year and add two new sports –
men’s football and women’s lacrosse. The new sports
will begin play in the 2013-2014 year. Hendrix last played football
in 1960 and, in addition to hiring a head football coach, a
national search is underway to recruit a women’s lacrosse
coach.
“I am honored and excited to have this extraordinary
opportunity to coach the first football team at Hendrix in 52
years,” said Buchanan. “I look forward to working with
the student-athletes, fellow coaches, faculty, staff, and alumni at
Hendrix and the Conway community. It’s great to be a
Warrior.”
Buchanan has coached for Louisiana College, an NCAA Division III
institution in Pineville, La., since 1999 and was one of the
original staff members when the school’s football program was
restarted. Most recently, he served as associate head football
coach. He is an alumnus of D-III member Austin College in Sherman,
Texas, where he graduated cum laude and received the school’s
top scholar athlete award and worked as a graduate assistant for
the men’s football and women’s basketball programs.
“Selecting a new head football coach after a 52-year
‘time out’ is a critical choice,” said Amy
Weaver, Director of Athletics at Hendrix.
Hendrix appointed a committee of faculty, staff, and alumni, and
retained a national search firm to assist in the selection process,
she said. The College received nearly 150 applications for the
position.
Buchanan was “a perfect fit,” Weaver said.
“We are so fortunate to have someone of Justin’s
caliber, character, and commitment to Division III culture,”
she said. “He is a great addition to our coaching staff and
will be a strong leader for this new sport.”