Rodeo
John Luthi
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- jluthi@utm.edu
- Phone:
- 731-881-7426
John Luthi has served as head coach of the University of Tennessee at Martin rodeo program since 1997, developing the program into a national powerhouse in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. The 2021-22 campaign will be Luthi's 25th season at the helm of UT Martin rodeo.
One of the most well-respected names in the rodeo ranks, Luthi's tireless efforts culminated in a historic 2013-14 season where UT Martin became the first collegiate team from the east of the Mississippi River to win the national men's rodeo team championship. UT Martin led for the final five days of the weeklong event and earned top honors after accumulating 755 team points to defeat Tarleton State University by 25 points.
The UT Martin men’s team has made 46 appearances in a 47-year stretch of the College National Finals Rodeo, considered the “Rose Bowl” of college rodeo. The UT Martin men’s team has also captured 14 Ozark Region titles in Luthi’s tenure. Overall, Luthi has guided the UT Martin men’s rodeo team to eight top-10 national finishes since 2005.
In 2019-20, the UT Martin women's squad earned the Ozark Region championship for the first time since 2011, which was the fifth regional championship in Luthi's tenure.
One of Luthi’s finest seasons came in 2012-13, when the UT Martin men’s team entered the CNFR with a No. 2 national ranking after winning the Ozark Region by a commanding 3,185 points. For his efforts, Luthi was named the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Coach of the Year award.
Luthi also coached Jeff Askey, who won the 2010 national bull riding championship.
Luthi has helped UT Martin produce one of the best rodeos in the nation. The UT Martin Annual Spring College Rodeo, which takes place at the Ned R. McWherter Agricultural Pavilion every April, has been named the Ozark Region’s “Rodeo of the Year” for 13 times in the span of 14 years.
Luthi was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from 1978-1990. He was a five-time Prairie Circuit qualifier in bareback riding and three-time qualifier in bull riding.
Luthi won 15 all-around saddles during his 22-year career as a contestant. He has produced/promoted at least one college rodeo each year that he has coached.
Luthi judged five different state high school rodeos and some professional rodeos before becoming a head coach at Fort Scott Community College from 1981-97. Along with his head coaching duties, he served as an assistant athletics director from 1994-97.
Luthi is married to Diane Luthi and the couple has one daughter, Katelyn.
One of the most well-respected names in the rodeo ranks, Luthi's tireless efforts culminated in a historic 2013-14 season where UT Martin became the first collegiate team from the east of the Mississippi River to win the national men's rodeo team championship. UT Martin led for the final five days of the weeklong event and earned top honors after accumulating 755 team points to defeat Tarleton State University by 25 points.
The UT Martin men’s team has made 46 appearances in a 47-year stretch of the College National Finals Rodeo, considered the “Rose Bowl” of college rodeo. The UT Martin men’s team has also captured 14 Ozark Region titles in Luthi’s tenure. Overall, Luthi has guided the UT Martin men’s rodeo team to eight top-10 national finishes since 2005.
In 2019-20, the UT Martin women's squad earned the Ozark Region championship for the first time since 2011, which was the fifth regional championship in Luthi's tenure.
One of Luthi’s finest seasons came in 2012-13, when the UT Martin men’s team entered the CNFR with a No. 2 national ranking after winning the Ozark Region by a commanding 3,185 points. For his efforts, Luthi was named the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Coach of the Year award.
Luthi also coached Jeff Askey, who won the 2010 national bull riding championship.
Luthi has helped UT Martin produce one of the best rodeos in the nation. The UT Martin Annual Spring College Rodeo, which takes place at the Ned R. McWherter Agricultural Pavilion every April, has been named the Ozark Region’s “Rodeo of the Year” for 13 times in the span of 14 years.
Luthi was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from 1978-1990. He was a five-time Prairie Circuit qualifier in bareback riding and three-time qualifier in bull riding.
Luthi won 15 all-around saddles during his 22-year career as a contestant. He has produced/promoted at least one college rodeo each year that he has coached.
Luthi judged five different state high school rodeos and some professional rodeos before becoming a head coach at Fort Scott Community College from 1981-97. Along with his head coaching duties, he served as an assistant athletics director from 1994-97.
Luthi is married to Diane Luthi and the couple has one daughter, Katelyn.
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