BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor athletic department announced several staff changes to the Cru administration Wednesday.
Associate Athletic Director
Darla Kirby is retiring after more than 26 years at UMHB. Kirby began as the head coach of the Women's Golf program. She led the Cru to its first-ever national title (NAIA) in 2000 and first Division III national title in 2013. Kirby accumulated 10 conference championships and 13 postseason appearances during her tenure with the women's golf program. She has served as Associate Athletic Director, Compliance Officer and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) since 2012.
"I am so thankful for UMHB and the years I spent here," Kirby said. "I enjoyed my time here as a student, enjoyed coaching some great student-athletes with women's golf and have been blessed to work with a tremendous athletics staff along the way. I know that the department is in great hands with Coach Bankhead. I'm looking forward to playing lots of golf and continuing to cheer on the Cru."
Brad Bankhead will assume Kirby's role as Associate Athletic Director and Compliance Officer. Bankhead closes out a 16-year tenure as the head coach for the men's soccer program. He holds a 169-86-26 record with the program, guiding the Cru to a pair of American Southwest Conference titles. Bankhead has led the Cru to 14 ASC tournament berths and three NCAA postseason appearances. His rosters include four all-America selections, more than 16 all-region honorees and more than 100 all-ASC award winners. Bankhead is also a three-time ASC Coach of the Year and earned 2017 United Soccer Coaches West Region Staff of the Year alongside assistant Coach
Ben Allen.
"In 2006 my wife and I trusted the Lord's calling to Belton to take over the men's soccer program at UMHB, " Bankhead said. "We were months away from our first child being born and I was taking on the challenge of coaching at the collegiate level. Shannon and I knew this was a special place from day one and have made UMHB, and Belton, our home. Three kids and sixteen seasons later, hundreds of soccer players, exhilarating wins and a few excruciating losses, we are so thankful we followed the call. I have truly loved every minute of working for this program and am so thankful for all of the former and current players who have given so much to me, my family, and this university. It was never work for me…it was the call of mentoring young men to be 'Great Husbands, Fathers and Bosses.'"
Ben Allen has been promoted to Head Men's Soccer Coach. Allen became the first full-time assistant of the men's soccer program in June of 2015. He also served as head coach of the men's soccer reserve squad. Allen holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in Sport Administration, both from UMHB. He also played under Bankhead from 2007-2010 helping the men's soccer program to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2009.
"I think any time a coach takes over at their alma mater it's special," Allen said. "This really is a dream job for me and my family. Belton is our home and we are so thankful to stay in and continue to serve this community. I am excited to continue the tradition of what Coach Bankhead has started and push our program to new heights on the national stage while continuing to develop great husbands, fathers and bosses."
Jackie Ralston has also been named NCAA Senior Woman Administrator. Ralston has been the head coach for the women's golf team since July 2013. She has led the Cru to three conference titles, including the 2022 title last week. The SWA is the highest-ranking woman in an NCAA member institution's athletic department and serves as a member of the athletics administration. Their role is to ensure the representation of women's interests, experiences and perspectives into the decision- making process.
Bankhead, Allen and Ralston will assume their new roles effective June 1
st while Kirby's planned retirement date is the end of June.
