Dr. Jon Claborn began his role as assistant director of athletics at John Brown University in the summer of 2024, where he will oversee compliance, facilities, and operations efforts.
In this role, he combines his vast experience in athletics management and leadership, contributing to the university's athletic programs by guiding strategic decisions and supporting student-athletes’ academic and athletic development. Claborn also plays an active role up the hill as the director of academic partnerships and before that as a graduate and online admissions counselor, providing a comprehensive understanding of student recruitment and enrollment processes. His role at John Brown University continues to highlight his dedication to fostering student success both on and off the field.
Before becoming a Golden Eagle, Claborn held several key roles at Oaks Mission High School in Oklahoma from 2020 to 2022. As high school principal and athletic director, Claborn oversaw multiple areas crucial to the school’s operations. In his capacity as athletic director, Claborn led the development and execution of athletic programs, while as principal, he managed academic functions and student affairs, demonstrating his ability to balance educational leadership with athletics. His contributions extended beyond administration, as he also served as head football coach, showing his deep-rooted commitment to coaching and mentoring student-athletes. His experience as a football coach has been a hallmark of his career, allowing him to lead teams both on and off the field with passion and expertise.
Claborn’s professional journey has also been marked by his work in the tech side of sports. From 2015 to 2020, he was a sales representative for Turf Tank, where he managed the sales and technical support for a field-marking robot across the Midwest. This role demonstrated his adaptability and technical acumen, as he not only provided sales solutions but also handled tech support and installations. Prior to Turf Tank, Claborn worked for Hudl Sports Video Services from 2009 to 2014, where he played a critical role in sales and support for high school, college, and professional teams across Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. His experience in these roles gave him valuable insight into the intersection of technology and sports, which further enriched his career in athletic administration.
Earlier in his career, Claborn held several educational and coaching positions across Oklahoma, where he built a reputation as a committed educator and coach. From 2008 to 2012, he was a history teacher, football defensive coordinator, and assistant track coach at Enid High School, helping shape young minds while guiding athletes to success. Before that, he served at Pioneer-Pleasant Vale High School as head football coach and head boys and girls track coach, and at Kremlin-Hillsdale High School as both elementary principal and head football coach. His time as a coach and educator, beginning in 2000 at Geary High School, helped Claborn refine his leadership abilities and laid the foundation for his future roles in athletic administration.
Claborn completed a Doctor of Education in leadership from Rockhurst University in 2025. He already held a Master of Education in administration and a Bachelor of Arts in history, both from the University of Central Oklahoma. His diverse qualifications, paired with his extensive experience in both coaching and athletic administration, have positioned him as a leader in collegiate athletics, dedicated to the growth and development of both student-athletes and athletic programs.
Claborn and his wife, Janelle, live in Siloam Springs with their two children, Drew and Anne.
