From SMUMustangs.com:
Brad Kearns Named Head Coach Of SMU Equestrian
DALLAS (SMU) – NCEA Western Coach of the Year and two-time National Championship assistant coach Brad Kearns has been named the Head Coach of the SMU Equestrian program, Director of Athletics Rick Hart announced.
"Since Brad's arrival on the Hilltop, his dedication to the program has been unmatched," said Hart. "Having seen his work with our student-athletes up close, we knew Brad was the only choice to lead the team forward in our pursuit of another national title."
Kearns is coming off his third season with SMU, in which the Mustangs repeated as Dual Discipline National Champions and he was named the NCEA's Western Coach of the Year. Kearns was previously promoted to Associate Head Coach at the conclusion of SMU's historic 2023 season, where the Mustangs earned their first national title in equestrian.
"I appreciate the faith that Rick Hart and (Equestrian Sport Administrator) Kris Harris are placing in me to lead this program," said Kearns. "I believe in this group of athletes not only as competitors, but as scholars and human beings. I am so proud of the work we have done so far and am excited to be part of the future of SMU Equestrian."
In three years, Kearns has played a key role in mentoring 10 All-Americans, seven All-Championship riders and three Nationals Most Outstanding Performer selections in the western arena for SMU. Over this stretch, the Mustangs have compiled a 30-11-6 western record and 36-12 overall record.
Kearns also helped SMU repeat as Eastern College Athletic Conference Champions in his first season on the Hilltop in 2022, with the Mustangs defeating 28 ranked opponents in the last three seasons.
Before coming to the Hilltop in July, 2021, Kearns had coached multiple youth riders to AQHA High Point All-Around year-end titles. In addition, he has coached two AQHA Select World Champions, eight AQHA Youth World Champions, four AQHA Amateur Reserve World Champions, three AQHA Amateur Reserve World Champions and three Appaloosa World Champions.
As a competitor, Kearns is an AQHA World Champion and Reserve World Champion in Trail and Western Pleasure and has won a number of national titles in other events as well.
Kearns has served as a judge at major horse shows across the United States and international competitions in Switzerland, Germany and Australia. He previously judged the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show and the Australian Pleasure Horse Association National Championship Show.