| The Austin Holton File |
| Hometown: Nampa, ID |
| Education: Olivet Nazarene, 2016; Olivet Nazarene, 2019 (MBA) |
| Coaching Background |
| 2022-Pres. |
Oklahoma Baptist, Cornerbacks / Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2020-22 |
Sterling College, Defensive Backs / Special Teams Coordinator |
| 2019-20 |
Allegheny College, Wide Receivers |
| 2016-19 |
Olivet Nazarene, Graduate Assistant |
| Championships/Honors |
| - Developed the first All-GAC defensive back in OBU history |
| - Helped OBU lead the Great American Conference and rank eighth nationally in passing defense (2023) |
| - Part of an OBU defense that ranked 17th nationally in passing defense (2025) |
| - Produced four All-KCAC selections at Sterling College |
| - Coached an AFCA-NAIA All-American at Sterling College |
| - Four-year football and track & field letterwinner at Olivet Nazarene |
| - ONU Who's Who Award recipient (2016) |
Austin Holton has helped transform Oklahoma Baptist's secondary into one of the premier defensive backfields in the Great American Conference. Since joining the Bison staff in 2022, Holton has developed all-conference performers while helping lead some of the top pass defenses in program history.
Holton's impact was felt immediately on Bison Hill. During the 2023 season, Oklahoma Baptist led the Great American Conference and ranked eighth nationally in passing defense, allowing just 146.3 passing yards per game. The Bison surrendered only 137 completions, recorded seven interceptions, and established a Division II-era program record with 38 pass breakups.
Under Holton's guidance, cornerback Tainique Taylor became the first defensive back in program history to earn All-GAC honors. Taylor earned Second Team All-GAC recognition after setting a school record with 15 pass breakups, a total that ranked among the nation's leaders. Taylor and Chase Whitebear also earned GAC Player of the Week honors during the season.
Holton has continued to elevate the Bison secondary while coordinating Oklahoma Baptist's special teams units. In 2025, the Bison ranked 17th nationally in passing defense and fifth in the GAC, allowing only 172.9 passing yards per game.
Prior to arriving at Oklahoma Baptist, Holton spent two seasons at Sterling College in Kansas as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. In 2021, he helped lead a secondary that recorded more than 300 tackles and ranked fifth in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference in interceptions. His special teams units converted all 49 extra-point attempts during the season, while Holton coached four All-KCAC selections and an AFCA-NAIA All-American.
Before Sterling, Holton coached wide receivers at Allegheny College in 2019. He also spent three seasons at Olivet Nazarene University as a graduate assistant, working primarily with the cornerbacks while serving as the junior varsity defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning assistant.
As a student-athlete at Olivet Nazarene, Holton was a four-year varsity letterwinner in both football and track & field. He earned all-conference honors in track & field and received the university's prestigious Who's Who Award in 2016.
A native of Nampa, ID, Holton graduated from Nampa Christian High School before earning a bachelor's degree in Sport, Fitness and Recreation from Olivet Nazarene in 2016. He completed his MBA from ONU in 2019.
Holton and his wife, Alyssa, reside in Shawnee with their daughter, Ariana.
UPDATED: 7/30/26
