Carlton Buckels was hired as the cornerbacks coach/defensive pass game coordinator in January of 2025.
Buckels, who brings over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to Ruston, arrives after a two-year stint as the cornerbacks coach at TCU. The Louisiana native coached NFL Draft picks in each of his first two seasons with the Horned Frogs.
In 2022, Buckels mentored Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson into becoming the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation's top defensive back and a sixth-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams. The 2023 campaign saw Josh Newton earn All-Big 12 honors for the second straight year en route to being a fifth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Buckels arrived in Fort Worth after spending for years at Tulsa (2018-21). He served as the safeties coach during his first three years with the Golden Hurricane, before being promoted to the defensive passing game coordinator and moving to cornerbacks for the 2021 season.
He came to Tulsa following one season as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss.
Buckels' collegiate coaching stops have included Delta State (2001-02), Southeastern Louisiana (2003-04), New Mexico State (2005-07), North Texas (2009-10) and Baylor (2011-16). Buckels helped lead Baylor to two Big 12 Championships during his time in Waco. In the summer of 2010, Buckels worked with the NFL's Oakland Raiders coaching staff as part of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Program.
Buckels received his start in collegiate coaching at his alma mater, LSU, where he served as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban and Gerry Dinardo. He worked with the defense and special teams while earning his master's degree in 2001.
A native of Louisiana, Buckels played collegiately at LSU and coached high school football in the state. He lettered four years at LSU (1989-92) serving as team captain and earning special teams MVP honors in 1991. He tallied six career interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.
After LSU, Buckels had stints in professional football with CFL’s Baltimore Colts and the semi-pro Louisiana Bayou Thunder.
Following his professional career, Buckels returned home to Amite, La, to coach baseball and teach at Amite High School.
From 1996-99, Buckels held numerous positions at Hammond (la.) High School helping the Tornados to the Class 4A semifinals in 1996-1997 as defensive backs coach. He also served as defensive coordinator for one season prior to heading to LSU.
Buckels is married to the former Kyra Barnes and they are the parents of three sons, Justin, Carsyn, and Carlon.
