Austin Newton serves as the Head Men's Basketball Coach and Head Men's Golf Coach at Berea College. Named head coach of the basketball program in September 2022, he earned Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Coach of the Year honors in his inaugural season after leading the Mountaineers to a 15-win season—their highest win total since 2016-17—and tying for second place in the league (7-5). Under his leadership, the team hosted its first-ever postseason game since joining NCAA Division III, posted a dominant 9-3 road record, and produced two All-Conference First Team selections in Isaac Caudill and Trey Minter. In July 2024, Newton assumed the dual role of Head Men's Golf Coach, taking leadership over both Mountaineer programs.
Prior to arriving at Berea, Newton served as the Head Boys' Basketball Coach at Madison Southern High School in Berea. In his final season, he led the Eagles to only the third district championship in school history by defeating Madison Central, followed by the program's first-ever victory in the 11th Region Tournament. At Madison Southern, Newton cultivated a culture centered on community involvement: his team was featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt for their work with the Madison County Special Olympics, and regularly volunteered with the Spoonbread Festival, Habitat for Humanity, local food banks, and area nursing homes.
Newton spent a decade at Eastern Kentucky University as a coach, recruiter, and administrator. From 2015 to 2018, he served as Assistant Athletic Director of Development, where he managed fundraising for the Colonel Club, launched the “Elite 100” annual giving initiative ($1,000+ level), and oversaw the Athletics Campaign Committee funding major facility projects. Before stepping into administration, Newton served as EKU's Basketball Director of Operations (2008–2010) before being promoted to full-time Assistant Coach (2010–2015). During his coaching tenure, EKU compiled a 106-61 record, highlighted by a 24-10 season in 2013-14 that saw the Colonels win the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament against Kansas. Newton also served as the lead recruiter for Nick Mayo, who went on to become EKU’s all-time leading scorer.
Academically, Newton helped guide EKU Men's Basketball to the NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Recognition Award in 2014—an honor earned by only 40 Division I men's basketball programs nationwide that season.
A native of Campbellsville, Kentucky, Newton played collegiate basketball at EKU from 2001 to 2005. As a senior captain, he helped lead the Colonels to the 2005 NCAA Tournament, where they faced Kentucky in the opening round. A three-year Scholar-Athlete, he graduated cum laude with a 3.5 GPA in August 2005, earning a B.A. in Public Relations.
Austin is married to Amy, a Berea native and Madison Southern alumna. Austin & Amy reside in Berea, they have two kids, Halle and Hagan.
