Ben Norton begins his first season as the assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator at Texas State. He will also coach the Bobcats' offensive linemen.

Norton just concluded his second season at McNeese State, helping guide the Cowboys to a Southland Conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division I playoffs.

During the 2006 season, Norton coached arguably one of the league's top linemen (Brent Poussan) who was the leading vote getter among offensive linemen for the All-Southland Conference team. Norton coached McNeese State's running backs during his first season on the staff.

Prior to joining the McNeese State staff, Norton coached six seasons (1999-2004) at Sam Houston State where he served as offensive line coach and was also the team's assistant head coach his last two seasons at the SLC rival school. During his tenure at Sam Houston, the Bearkats captured two Southland Conference championships and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division I playoffs in 2004.

While at Sam Houston, the Bearkats led the Southland Conference in passing offense four times, total offense three times and scoring twice. Sam Houston State posted a 41-30 record during Norton's tenure.

Norton's first full-time position was a two-year stint as the offensive line coach at Eastern Illinois. Prior to that, the veteran coach served as a graduate assistant coach at Angelo State (1994), Vanderbilt (1994-95) and LSU (1996).

Since 1997, Norton has been the position coach for six NCAA Division I All-Americans as well as 13 players who have received first-team all-conference honors during his coaching tenure.

The Vidor native was a four-year letterman as a lineman at Stephen F. Austin where he was an Academic All-Southland Conference selection. He earned his bachelor's degree from SFA in 1993 and also earned a master's degree from Vanderbilt in 1997.