Murray State University Athletics
Staff Directory

Kirk Botkin
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
At Murray State
Prior to MSU
- 2025 marks Botkin's first season with the Racers
Prior to MSU
- Comes to Murray State with more than 25 years of coaching experience
- Served for the last four seasons as the Defensive Coordinator at Magnolia West High School in Magnolia, Texas
- Worked as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Dekaney High School (2017-20) and Westfield High School (2020-21)
- Led the South Carolina State Bulldogs' defense in 2016-17 where they led the MEAC in total defense, scoring defense, and turnovers.Â
- Served from 2012-15 as the Linebackers Coach at South Carolina under Steve Spurrier, helping win the 2012 and 2013 Outback Bowl and the 2014 Independence Bowl
- Helped lead the Gamecocks to back-to-back 11-win seasons
- Also worked in the SEC ranks as the Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach at Arkansas from 2008-2010, heelped lead unit to an SEC in Net Punting in 2008
- Won the 2010 Liberty Bowl with the Razorbacks
- Worked as the Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at Louisiana Monroe from 2006-2007, helping lead ULM to their first winning season and bowl eligibility in 14 seasons
- Served as the Assistant Head Coach, Outside Linebackers Coach, and Special Teams Coordinator at Jacksonville State from 2001-2005
- Helped win back-to-back OVC titles in 2003 and 2004
- Coach two All-Conference Linebackers, Four All-Conference OL and TE's, one All-Conference Punter
- Began college coaching career at Rice as a Tight Ends Coach and Graduate Assistant in 2000-01
- Helped guide Robert E. Lee High School from 1998-2000 as a Wide Receivers and Tight Ends Coach
- Four year letterwinner at Arkansas from 1989-1993.
- Served as Team Captain and earned All-SEC honors twice.
- Named to the All-Decade (1990's) at Arkansas.
- Played in the NFL for the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
2025 Murray State Hall of Fame Inductee Casey Brockman
Tuesday, January 20
2025 Murray State Hall of Fame Inductee Danny Alfeldt
Tuesday, January 20
2025 Murray State Hall of Fame Inductee Alexa Becker
Tuesday, January 20
2025 Murray State Hall of Fame Inductee Ivan Roe
Tuesday, January 20











