Harding University Athletics

AT HARDING
Dr. Klay Bartee is in his 22nd season as an assistant coach at Harding. It is his 12th season as the team’s linebacker coach. Bartee coached linebackers from 2001-04 and again from 2008 through the present. Bartee has also coached Harding’s defensive line.

Since 2000, Bartee has had 11 linebackers or defensive linemen earn all-conference honors. He was the position coach for Tim Polk, who earned All-America in both 2002 and 2003.

Bartee has coached in three Harding postseason games, the 2012 and 2014 NCAA Division II Playoffs and the 2013 Live United Texarkana Bowl.

Harding, under Bartee and the defensive staff, have ranked in the top 10 in Division II in each of the last three seasons in rushing defense. Last season, Harding was ninth in Division II in total defense.

PRIOR TO HARDING
Prior to coming to Harding, Bartee was the defensive coordinator at Abilene Christian (1990-93).

Bartee also coached at three high schools--defensive coordinator at Ouachita Christian School in Monroe, La. (1989-90), co-head coach at Alabama Christian in Montgomery, Ala. (1985-89), and assistant coach at Harding Academy in Memphis, Tenn. (1983-85).

PLAYING CAREER
Bartee was a four-year letterwinner as a linebacker at Harding from 1977-82.

Bartee earned two letters as a offensive lineman at Dallas Christian after playing a year at linebacker at Richardson (Texas) High School.

EDUCATION
Bartee earned his bachelor’s of education and his master’s of education from Harding in 1983. He received his master’s of science degree in marriage and family therapy from Harding in 1995.

A native of Lubbock, Texas, Bartee works as a therapist and teacher in Harding’s Marriage and Family Therapy Center and is a motorcycle enthusiast.

FAMILY
He is married to the former Lisa Jo Ruddick of Neosho, Missouri. The couple has three children--Kris, Kasey, and Kallie.