Scott Stoker enters his second season with Tarleton State in 2023, transitioning to coach the Texan safeties.
In 2022, Stoker had oversight of the outside linebackers in Tyrone Nix’s defense. Stoker helped develop linebacker Patrick Jones, who did a bit of everything. Jones finished with two interceptions, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, 65 total tackles (30 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. He led the team in sacks, had the tied-second most tackles for loss and the third most total tackles.
"Scott Stoker and I have a lot of history together, from playing against each other all those years ago, to coaching together at Sam Houston," said head coach Todd Whitten at the time of Stoker’s hire. "He’s well respected not only by me, but across college football."
Stoker has nearly 30 years of coaching experience under his belt, much of it as a head coach or coordinator. Before Tarleton State, he most recently was an offensive/defensive analyst at Tulane following a five-year run (2016-20) at Louisiana-Monroe, serving as defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, and even interim head coach towards the end of 2020.
“It’s great to once again be working with Coach Whitten, who I’ve known for quite some time,” Stoker said. “We’ve built a great relationship and I know what he expects out of myself.”
Stoker was the defensive coordinator for three years at UTEP (2013-15) and four years at Sam Houston (2009-12), the first of which was with the Bearkats’ head coach at the time, Whitten. Before joining Whitten’s staff at Sam Houston, Stoker was the head coach at his alma mater, Northwestern State, for seven years from 2002-08.
While at ULM, Stoker’s linebackers played a big part in the 2018 defense that ranked fourth in total defense in conference games in the Sun Belt. Stoker coached David Griffith to become the Warhawks’ all-time tackles for loss leader with 42.5. Griffith also earned All-Sun Belt second team honors and had a career-high 92 tackles under Stoker’s tutelage in 2018. In 2019, Stoker coached Cortez Sisco Jr. to a career-best 114 tackles. He became the first Warhawk to top 100 tackles in a season since 2015.
Stoker also spent three seasons at UTEP as defensive coordinator from 2013-15. His first year on the job was a tremendous success as the Miners cut their points per game allowed from 39.3 the previous season to 28.1 in Stoker’s first. The Miners also improved in many other defensive categories. Total defense allowed dropped by more than 100 yards per game from the previous season.
Prior to UTEP, Stoker spent four years at Sam Houston as defensive coordinator. His defenses at the FCS level were fearsome. The Bearkats experienced immense success, making back-to-back FCS Division 1 Championship game appearances and winning back-to-back Southland Conference championships in 2011 and 2012. Following the 2011 year, which saw the Bearkats finish 14-1, Stoker was named the NCAA FCS “Defensive Coordinator of the Year” by FootballScoop.com. The 2011 defense finished the season ranked top-five in the FCS in rushing defense (No. 1), scoring defense and turnover margin (No. 2), total defense (No.3) and pass efficiency defense (No. 4).
In Stoker’s time as the head coach at Northwestern State, he compiled a 43-38 record and led the Demons to a 2004 Southland Conference co-championship and two NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances (2002 and 2004). Three of his Demon teams ranked in the top-15 in total defense and rushing defense. They finished second in both categories in 2004. Stoker was named as one of the country’s Top-10 recruiters by American Football Coaches Monthly.
Stoker spent eight seasons on the McNeese staff (1994-01). The Cowboys made six appearances to the NCAA I-AA playoffs. In 1995 they played in the national semifinals and the 1997 team played in the national championship. Stoker was the offensive coordinator in 1999 before transitioning to defensive coordinator in 2000.
Stoker’s playing career included an all-state recognition at quarterback for Alexandria (LA) high school before heading to Northwestern State, where he led the Demons to the 1988 Southland Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA I-AA playoffs. Stoker closed out his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (4,801) and total offense (5,059 yards). He is a member of the N-Club Hall of Fame. Whitten’s Stephen F. Austin team consistently matched up with Northwestern State in the 1980s, with both men leading their respective teams at quarterback.
Stoker and his wife Kim have three daughters: Jennifer, Carlie and Zoe.
