Oliver Soukup enters his seventh season on the NM State coaching staff in 2021. Soukup, a former Aggie team captain, oversees the linebackers and serves as the assistant head coach.
Soukup's linebacker unit has consistently led the Aggie defense on the field. Rodney Butler and Devin Richardson flourished under his guidance, becoming the third and fourth Aggie linebackers, respectively, to be named an All-American, joining Fredd Young (1983) and Jimmy Cottrell (2005).
Soukup most recently oversaw linebacker Richardson's emergence into a game-changing playmaker during the 2019 season. Richardson was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, becoming the 18th Aggie in program history to receive All-America recognition and the first freshman in school history to capture the honor from the FWAA.
The 2018 campaign saw linebacker Javahn Fergurson led not only the Aggies but also the NCAA with 132 tackles (42 solo). Meanwhile, three other players in Ron LaForce (122), Leon McQuaker (120) and Terrill Hanks (101) all register 100-plus tackles on the year. In addition, Hanks signed an undrafted free agent deal with his hometown team the Miami Dolphins.
In 2017, Soukup helped guide the Aggies to their first bowl game in 57 years and the 2017 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl Championship in front of 25,000-plus Aggie fans at Arizona Stadium on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017. Soukup coached linebacker McQuaker to defensive MVP honors in the Arizona Bowl. McQuaker recorded 13 solo tackles, including two for loss, in the Bowl win.
Soukup and the Aggies finished the 2017 regular season 7-6 and 4-4 against Sun Belt opponents. These victories included a sweep over NM State’s rivals UTEP and New Mexico for the first time since 2002. The win in 2017 over UNM was the second win in as many years.
On defense, Soukup helped lead the defense to a breakout season. The defense held their final three opponents to 20 points or less and at season's end seven players on the defensive side of the ball were named All-Conference in the Sun Belt.
Soukup coached senior linebacker Dalton Herrington to First Team All-Conference honors. Herrington led the Sun Belt in tackles with 134, which included 16 for loss and 6.5 sacks. Fellow linebacker, Terrill Hanks, was named Honorable Mention All-Conference in the Sun Belt. Hanks finished second on the team in tackles (111) and sacks (seven).
The linebacker unit led by Soukup also got strong performances throughout the season from McQuaker, Fergurson and Lui Fa'amasino. All three guys eclipsed 40 tackles for the season.
In 2016, Soukup helped lead the NM State linebackers unit to a strong season, with three linebackers collecting 100+ tackles. Senior linebacker Rodney Butler led the country in tackles (165) and was named a Phil Steele Fourth Team All-American at the end of the season, In addition, Butler was honored as a First Team All-Conference selection in the Sun Belt. Meanwhile, junior Dalton Herrington picked up 113 total tackles and sophomore Terrill Hanks racked up 103 tackles.
Prior to NM State, Soukup was the defensive coordinator at Eastern New Mexico for three seasons.
In 2013, Soukup's defense played a huge role in the team's success and led the Lone Star Conference in first downs allowed. The defense was also third in third-down conversions allowed and turnovers caused. The unit was second against the run and third in the passing efficiency category. The overall performance saw Kevin Keaves earn All-Super Region 4 and First Team All-LSC status.
Prior to Eastern New Mexico, Soukup served as the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach at New Mexico Military Institute for the 2011 season. Those units helped propel the Broncos to the Heart of Texas Bowl, just one of eight sanctioned bowls in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Soukup started at Concordia University as the defensive line and strength & conditioning coordinator in 2004 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005. He helped guide the Golden Bears to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title in 2004 and to two of the school’s three postseason appearances (2005 and 2010). During his time at Concordia, Soukup coached three All-American players, seven All-Region selections and 14 First Team All-NSIC choices.
A four-year letterwinner on the defensive line at NM State, Soukup was a team captain and garnered All-Big West for his play during the 2000 season. He also was named to the Progressive All-American Farm Team as a senior.
Soukup earned his Bachelor of Science degree in family and child science, from NM State in 2002. He is married to Kristen Soukup and has three children - all boys: Kooper, Chance and Mack.
