Roger State Athletics Hall of Fame
Derek Larkin was named the first head coach of both the men’s and women’s soccer programs in the fall of 2007. He stepped away from the women’s head coaching role after the 2013 season while continuing as the only head coach in men’s soccer history until he stepped away from coaching after the 2024 season. Larkin established a winning tradition on the Hill, leading the Hillcats to over 250 wins in 18 seasons between the men’s and women’s programs, including an undefeated run during the COVID-forced 2021 Spring season. RSU swept the GAC/MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Championships that year, and during the 2019 season as well.
He found success early in his tenure as he guided the women’s soccer team to the 2007 Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament Championship (the first championship for any program in school history) and an appearance in the NAIA Region VI Tournament Finals in their first season in existence. That team was headlined by fellow inductee Bailey Lynn and fellow Hall of Famer Robin Sutherland who was named a NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, NAIA Region VI Player of the Year, First Team All-Region VI, SAC Offensive Player of the Year, SAC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SAC after the season.
During his years at the helm of the men’s soccer program, he recorded 16 seasons of .500 or better, including 10 straight winning seasons. He capped off his career leading RSU to their first-ever berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament and made an appearance in the second round. Larkin also has guided the Hillcats to 21 total 10-plus win seasons between the men’s and women’s teams. He has also been recognized by his peers as he has collected four Coach of the Year awards along the way. Larkin has guided five All-Americans, eight Conference Players of the Year (two Players, two Goalkeepers, two Newcomers, one Midfielder and one Defender), 51 All-Region/District selections and 89 All-Conference selections. His student-athletes have also excelled in the classroom as he has coached 10 Academic All-Americans, 42 Academic All-Region/District Scholar-Athlete honorees, and had two teams earn Academic Team distinctions.
Larkin has served as the head coach of multiple club programs, including most recently Blitz Academy FC. In his club coaching career, Larkin has collected a club national championship as well as six Presidents Cup Oklahoma State Championships and a runner-up finish.
