Southwestern Oklahoma State Athletics

Todd Helton was officially named the ninth Athletic Director in Southwestern Oklahoma State University history on October 8, 2020. The longest-tenured member of the SWOSU Athletic Department, Helton enters his 12th year in athletics administration in 2026 following a 24-year coaching career with Bulldog Football.

Between his four-year playing career at SWOSU from 1986-89 and 36 years spent coaching and working in athletics administration on the Hilltop, Helton celebrates his 40th year as a Bulldog in 2026.

Helton transitioned into athletics administration following the 2013-14 academic year, replacing Bulldog legend Kelli Litsch as Assistant Athletic Director and Compliance Coordinator. He was elevated to Associate Athletic Director in August 2019 before being named Athletic Director the following year. Prior to taking over the department, his administrative responsibilities included overseeing athletics compliance while assisting with budgets, event management, special events and fundraising.

Since moving into athletics administration, Helton has served on various NCAA committees, including the NCAA Division II Football Regional Advisory Committee for the Central Region and the NCAA Eligibility Center Advisory Committee.

A member of the SWOSU Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2010, Helton was a standout defensive lineman for the Bulldogs from 1986-89. He helped SWOSU post back-to-back winning seasons in his final two years and capped his playing career by earning First Team NAIA All-America honors in 1989. Helton finished with 197 career tackles and 15 sacks, ranking among the program's all-time leaders among defensive linemen.

Following his playing career, Helton joined the SWOSU Athletic Department under Cecil Perkins and spent the next 24 years coaching Bulldog Football. He served under three head coaches — Paul Sharp, Ryan Held and Dan Cocannouer — and was SWOSU's Defensive Coordinator from 2005-14 before transitioning into athletics administration.

During his coaching career from 1990-2014, Helton helped the Bulldogs win four conference championships while coaching 10 All-Americans and numerous all-conference selections. He was on staff for three consecutive winning seasons from 1990-92, a stretch that included an appearance in the Aztec Bowl in 1991 and a trip to the NAIA National Playoffs in 1992 after SWOSU finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the country.

The signature season of Helton's coaching tenure came in 1996 when SWOSU captured the program's lone NAIA National Championship. The Bulldogs defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State, 17-7, and Montana Tech, 33-31, at Milam Stadium during their championship run. The 1996 season was SWOSU's final year as an NAIA institution, and Helton remained with the program through its transition to NCAA Division II.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Helton served on various campus committees and was a faculty member in SWOSU's Department of Kinesiology from 1993-2013.

A native of Perryton, Texas, Helton holds two degrees from SWOSU, earning his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 1991 and master's degree in Education in 1993. He has two daughters, Kennedie and Ireland.
 

THE HELTON FILE

Administrative Career
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (2014-Present)
   - Athletic Director (Oct. 2020-Present)
   - Interim Athletic Director (June 2020-Oct. 2020)
   - Associate Athletic Director (2019-Present)
   - Assistant Athletic Director / Compliance Coordinator (2014-19)

Coaching Career
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (1990-2014)
   - Student Assistant (1990)
   - Graduate Assistant (1991-92)
   - Defensive Line Coach (1993-04)
   - Defensive Coordinator (2005-14)
 
Playing Career 
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (1986-89)
   - NAIA Division I First Team All-American (1989)
   - NAIA District Nine First Team (1989)
   - All-Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference First Team (1989)
   - NAIA Division I Honorable Mention All-American (1988)
   - NAIA District Nine Second Team (1988)
   - All-Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference First Team (1988)
 
Education
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
   - Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology, May 1991
   - Masters of Education, May 1993