Greg Holsworth | Henderson State

Greg Holsworth was named the 19th head football coach at Henderson State University on June 26 and begins his first season at the helm of the program in 2024.

Holsworth, who joined the Henderson State football staff in February of 2017 and served as the Reddies defensive coordinator for seven years, is entering his eighth season Arkadelphia.

During his time as the Reddies defensive coordinator, Henderson never failed to finish in the top half of the Great American Conference in scoring defense.

In 2023, Holsworth and his defense helped lead the Reddies to their first NCAA Division II Playoff appearance since 2015, as well as their first win over Ouachita Baptist since that same 2015 season. Holsworth's efforts produced HSU's third nine-win season in the last four years.

While serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, Henderson delivered a record 40 sacks during the regular season, which was the most for an HSU team in the GAC era. Through 11 games, that was the second most in all of NCAA Division II. The Reddies also saw defensive end Gary Lewis named AFCA Second Team All-America - Henderson's first defensive All-American since 2019.

In 2022, HSU's defensive staple was its rush defense. The Reddies ranked second in the GAC, allowing just 140 yards on the ground per gam, and were also third in the league with 24 sacks in 11 games. Four players off Holsworth's defense were named All-Conference, including First Team All-GAC recipient Deldric Shields. Two of the four honorees were freshman.

HSU was particularly impressive in 2019 when it allowed just 19.8 points per game for the year despite starting only three senior players for the majority of the season. Henderson held nine opponents to 21 points or fewer and consistently got off to great starts, allowing only 30 total first quarter-points in 12 games. Five defensive players earned All-GAC honors for the Reddies and nickel back Mercardo Anderson was named an All-American by two different publications.

Holsworth spent a year at Saint Joseph’s College prior to arriving to Henderson serving in the same capacity, and also served as assistant coach in charge of the defensive ends at the University of Wyoming.

 

Before his time at Wyoming, he coached at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, where he worked with the linebackers and served as head strength and conditioning coach. At Occidental, Holsworth simultaneously served as the Defensive Coordinator at Hoover High School in Glendale, California.

 

Holsworth was an outstanding player at Occidental College from 2008-11. He was a three time All-Conference selection at linebacker and during his senior season, he was named his team's Most Valuable Player. That season he started as both an inside linebacker and a tight end.

 

He received his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Occidental College in 2012. Originally from Arlington, Washington, Holsworth graduated from Arlington High School in 2008. He and his wife Brooke have two children, Reagan and Jameson.