CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Ratcliff has announced Derek Larkin's promotion to Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations.

"I am grateful to Dr. Raleigh and Dr. Ratcliff for this opportunity and honored to be part of an athletic department built on the dedication and excellence of great people," Larkin remarked on the promotion. "I am excited about the future and the continued growth of the department."

The move comes as the athletics administration team restructures the department. In the new role, Larkin will work directly with development and corporate sponsorships. 
 
"With the changes taking place across collegiate athletics, it is important that we continue to evolve and structure our department for long-term success," Dr. Ratcliff commented. "Derek has been a trusted and valued member of our team for many years and elevating him to the Senior Associate Athletic Director role was a no-brainer. His contributions to our facility improvements, development efforts and overall growth have been tremendous. I am thankful to have Derek on our leadership team and excited to continue working together as we navigate the future of college athletics."

Larkin, a 2025 Rogers State Hall of Fame Inductee and the "Father of Hillcat Soccer," has been a key figure in the department since 2007. After an 18-year coaching career with the Hillcat men's and women's soccer programs, Larkin transitioned into administration at the end of the 2024 season, where he began serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities.
 
During his tenure as assistant athletic director for facilities, Larkin played a key role in constructing the Case Athletic Performance Center, a 10,000-square-foot indoor practice facility for the Hillcat baseball, golf and softball programs. He also oversaw internal projects for all 12 athletic programs and assisted with corporate sponsorships. Beginning in 2026, Larkin will serve on the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Committee and as co-chair of the Super Region 3 Men's Soccer Committee.
 
In the fall of 2007, Larkin was appointed the inaugural head coach of both the men's and women's soccer programs. He stepped down as the women's head coach after the 2013 season, while remaining the sole head coach in men's soccer history until he retired after the 2024 season. Larkin fostered a winning tradition at RSU, leading the Hillcats to more than 250 victories over 18 seasons across both programs, including an undefeated campaign during the COVID-disrupted 2021 spring season. That year, RSU clinched the GAC/MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Championships, repeating its 2019 feat.
 
He found success early in his tenure by guiding the women's soccer team to the 2007 Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Tournament Championship, marking the first title for any program in school history. The team also reached the NAIA Region VI Tournament Finals in its inaugural season, featuring RSU Hall of Famers Bailey Lynn and Robin Sutherland.
 
During his tenure leading the men's soccer program, he achieved 16 seasons with a .500 record or better, including 10 consecutive winning seasons. He concluded his career by guiding Rogers State to its first NCAA Division II tournament berth, reaching the second round. His coaching staff, consisting of Associate Head Coach Jake Simpson and assistants Bryan Weygand, Brandon Stone, Blake Classen, Daniel Rasor, Keith Stone and manager Gabriel Tran, earned the 2024 United Soccer Coaches Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year award.
 
Throughout his career, he mentored five All-Americans and eight Conference Players of the Year—encompassing two players, two goalkeepers, two newcomers, one midfielder and one defender—along with 51 All-Region/District selections and 89 All-Conference honorees. His student-athletes have also excelled academically, with 10 earning Academic All-American status, 42 recognized as Academic All-Region/District Scholar-Athletes and two teams achieving Academic Team distinctions.
 
Larkin has also served as the head coach of multiple club programs, including most recently Blitz Academy FC. In his club coaching career, Larkin has won a club national championship, six Presidents Cup Oklahoma State Championships, and a runner-up finish.
 
Prior to his coaching career, Larkin was a four-year starter at Missouri Valley College. He served as a two-year captain and led the Vikings to two Heart of America Athletic Conference championships. Larkin earned all-conference first team honors twice and was named all-region second team.
 
Larkin and his wife, Christy, reside in Rogers County and have two sons, Zach and Adam. Adam graduated from the University of Arkansas. Zach is an RSU grad and played on the men's soccer team in 2020 and 2021.