Hill College announces new rodeo coaches

Hill College is pleased to announce Chad Rutherford and Mersadie Martin as the new rodeo coaches.

Chad Rutherford will take over as head rodeo coach following Paul Brown’s recent retirement from coaching. He began his rodeo career at Hill College, where he received two associate degrees in agriculture and liberal arts. He then went on to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture while competing in bareback riding. He has competed on the professional level for the past twelve years, including qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 2020.

Rutherford grew up in Itasca, Texas. He began rodeoing after high school when a neighbor, Chris Harris, a professional bareback rider, encouraged him to try bareback riding. He then joined the rodeo team at Hill College under former head rodeo coach Paul Brown.

During his collegiate career, he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) three times and was the Southern Region Bareback Champion twice. Throughout his professional career, Rutherford has qualified for the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo nine times and once in the Southeastern Circuit Finals, where he was the year-end champion.

Rutherford’s professional accomplishments include National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southern Region Bareback Champion (2014, 2016), CNFR Qualifier (2013, 2014, 2016), Southeastern Circuit Champion Bareback Rider (2016), Texas Circuit Champion Bareback Rider (2021), NFR Bareback Qualifier (2020), and Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo Average Champion and high-money earner (2024).

“The harder it is, the greater it is. The greatest rides I ever had in my career were the moments I felt like I had my worst rides. No matter how hard it gets, just keep moving your feet,” said Rutherford. “I am excited for the opportunity to utilize my experience and passion for coaching to mentor the young rodeo athletes at Hill College.”

For more information about the Rodeo Program at Hill College, visit hillcollegeathletics.com.