Conklin joined the Terriers in July 2007 as a secondary coach and added special teams responsibilities for the 2009 season. In his first two years working with the cornerbacks, two earned All-Southern Conference honors. Under Conklin's assistance, the Terriers led the SoCon in scoring defense with 24.8 points allowed per game in 2007. Overall, the Terriers led the conference with 20 interceptions. In 2008, the Terriers were tied for second in the SoCon with 13 interceptions.

Prior to Wofford, Conklin was the secondary coach and special teams coach at South Dakota State for two seasons (2005-06). He was a graduate assistant coach with the Jackrabbits in 2003 and 2004 before being elevated to full-time status prior to the start of the 2005 season.

In 2006, SDSU finished 21st in the nation in the final College Sporting News coaches poll. Conklin's secondary ranked second in the Great West Conference in pass defense, allowing just 165.4 yards per game through the air, while the kickoff return and kickoff coverage teams were the top-ranked units in the Great West Conference.

A native of Gillette, Wyo., Conklin graduated from Campbell County High School in 1998 before enrolling at Dakota State University. A 2003 graduate of Dakota State with a degree in physical education, Conklin started at linebacker his junior and senior seasons and was an Academic All-America selection. Conklin also earned a masters degree in sports administration in 2008 from South Dakota State University.