Michael Courtney Named Assistant Track Coach
8/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin head track and field coach Phil Olson today announced the hiring of Michael Courtney as an assistant coach for the Lumberjacks. Courtney will assist coach Sean Lonergan with the SFA sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to have him here," Olson said. "Michael had an outstanding collegiate career, then had an outstanding and even better professional career, and now is settling into the coaching world. This is a guy that is passionate about what he does, and what I like about him is that he is very humble. He doesn't talk about his accomplishments, which are many, but he works incredibly hard and it doesn't get much better than having a guy of Michael's caliber on staff."
An All-American sprinter at Sam Houston State, Courtney was a 10-time Southland Conference champion, including a three-time champion in the 400 meters. He was also a member of five SLC championship relay teams and holds multiple school records at SHSU, making numerous NCAA championship appearances.
After earning his degree in 2010, Courtney claimed the 2011 USA 400 meter indoor championship as he began his professional running career. A USATF member, Courtney began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Texas State in 2013, working with the Bobcat sprinters, jumpers and middle distance athletes.
Courtney joins an SFA track and field staff that has already cemented its legacy as one of the top programs in the country. The Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks have claimed multiple SLC titles in the last decade with a long list of both All-SLC performers and NCAA qualifiers. This past season, SFA notched seven All-Americans while making its first appearance in the NCAA Top-25 poll since 1996.
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