Hill College Rodeo Coach Paul Brown Retires
Ashlee Furguson
Thursday, July 24, 2025 3:23 PM
Athletics
Hillsboro, TX
Hillsboro, Texas—After 35 years of service as Hill College rodeo coach, Paul Brown has retired.
During Paul’s tenure, the rodeo team finished top 10 in the nation a total of 19 times (15 for the men’s team and four for the women’s), has had 11 individual national champions and 10 individual reserve national champions. Under his direction, the men’s team has won the Southern Region National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) championships 13 times with nine reserve championship titles. The women’s team won the Southern Region NIRA championships six times with four reserve championship titles.
Last month, three men represented Hill College at the 2025 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyoming—Koby Douch, 2024 CNFR Champion Calf Roper; 2025 Southern NIRA Region Champion Bull Rider, Bryce Jensen; and Luke Leathers, a team roper.
“Even though Hill College sent three outstanding contestants to this year’s CNFR, we did not achieve the outcome that we wanted. Koby Douch (defending CNFR champion) broke out on his first calf then placed in the next two rounds to qualify for the short round but had no luck. Bryce Jensen, who had been setting the world on fire, rode two bulls to over seven seconds but just could not get one covered. Luke Leathers, roping with Southwest Texas College (SWTC) member Tyler Calhoun, struggled to get anything done, too. I am super proud of these young men, in fact the whole Hill College rodeo team this past season. Not the ideal ending to my career, but the time spent with all these young athletes is better than any accolade that could have been achieved,” said Brown.
At the CNFR, Brown was named the National Coach of the Year for the organization. In addition, the city of Casper, Wyoming, declared June 18 as Paul Brown Day. “It was such a great honor to be recognized by my peers from across the nation!,” said Brown.
Brown received his and bachelor’s and master’s degrees Tarleton State University. During his college years, he also competed for Tarleton’s rodeo team from 1980–84.
Brown began his coaching career at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, in 1988. Two years later, he joined the coaching staff at Hill College. Prior to his coaching career, he worked as an assistant county agent for the Texas Agriculture Extension in Eastland County and as a research assistant, both in Stephenville and College Station, Texas.
“Paul Brown is an amazing mentor and rodeo coach. He and his wife Traci treat each one of the rodeo team members just like their own kids. Having Paul as a rodeo coach at Hill College was an amazing experience. Not only did I have the pleasure of being part of the team, but my son was fortunate enough to get the same opportunity to also rodeo under Paul. Two generations of rodeo athletes—myself from 1999–2000 and my son, Lane Chesson, from 2022–23. What an amazing memory for both father and son to share,” said former rodeo student Neal Chesson.
After the regional finals this past April, hosted by Hill College, NIRA posted “WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND! We crowned champions at Hill College and celebrated Paul Brown on his accomplishment as a coach, mentor, and leader for 37 great years! The coaches and NIRA Southern Region awarded him the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Golden Rulebook Award. The wording is spot on. ‘A truly GREAT COACH is hard to find and difficult to part with but IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET.’ He was also awarded Coach of the Year for the region and there were so many rodeo alumni and friends that showed up to celebrate his retirement. Paul Brown, what a great ending to your rodeo coaching career. The turnout for your ‘last rodeo’ speaks volumes of the great work you have done and lives you have touched over the years. Best wishes and enjoy retirement!”
“It has been said in the workplace to find something that you love to do, and you will never work a day in your life. Obviously, I have never worked a single day! This has been a dream job as a rodeo coach for Hill College for the past 35 years. I have been blessed to have been able to touch so many young people in their college career, but the truth is that each and every one of them have touched and impacted my life. I thank Hill College for giving me this opportunity but I especially thank each and every athlete that made the decision to come rodeo for Paul Brown!,” said Brown.
“Almost 30 years ago, I was fortunate enough to have been a part of Paul Brown’s women’s rodeo team for three years, and they were truly some of the best years I’ve ever
experienced. During that time, I watched Paul Brown lead his family and the rodeo kids with a calm and loving influence that is rare in this world. He had this cool demeanor about him that drew people in and made them want to do better and to be better. Paul Brown, Traci, and their kids left a lasting impression with me all those years ago. They were my second family, my second home, and each of them will take up huge space in my heart now and forever. As Paul Brown steps away from the role that he has filled so impeccably and gracefully for the last three decades, the sport of college rodeo will be different, but Paul’s legacy and incredible influence will always remain,” said former rodeo student Tina A McKinley.
Chad Rutherford will be taking over head coach of the Hill College rodeo team. Rutherford began his rodeo career at Hill College, where he received two associate degrees, and then moved on to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, competing in bareback riding and completing his bachelor’s degree. He has competed on the professional level for the past twelve years, including qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2020.
Rutherford will be assisted by Mersadie Martin as associate head rodeo coach. According to Brown, she is one of the greatest goat tiers to ever step into the rodeo arena. Originally from Lufkin, Texas, she began her collegiate career at Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, Texas. She then went on to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where she received her bachelor’s degree. Martin finished her college career at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she received her master’s degree while also serving as assistant coach for their rodeo program.
“The knowledge and skills that these two are bringing into the rodeo program is exciting. The only path for the program is up! They both are working hard to improve facilities and to bring in great athletes,” said Brown.
Hill College National Champions under the leadership of Paul Brown:
1993 – Phillip Elkins, Bull Riding
1996 – Aaron Williams, Bull Riding
1998 – Aaron Adamson, Calf Roping
2003 – Chad Eubank, Bull Riding
2005 – Matt Austin, Bull Riding
2006 – Jarrod Craig, Bull Riding
2009 – Chad German, Bull Riding
2013 – Tim Bingham, Bull Riding
2017 – Cole Melancon, Bull Riding
2024 – Kobe Douch, Tie Down Roping
2024 – James Arviso, Team Roping Header
While Brown is retiring from his position as rodeo coach, he will remain a faculty member at Hill College teaching agriculture.
For more information on the Hill College Rodeo Team, visit hillcollegeathletics.com.
[photo credit: Paul Brown and his wife, Traci, at the 2025 NIRA Southern Region Finals hosted by Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas.]