TEMPE – The Arizona State track and field program has added former Georgia sprints coach Devin West to its coaching staff, Director of Track and Field Greg Kraft announced Wednesday.
"Coach Devin West's name quickly rose to the top of our job search," Kraft said. "The depth of people that spoke on Devin's behalf came from all levels of our great sport and they all spoke of his work ethic and professionalism."
West makes the move to Tempe after spending two years at the University of Georgia as the Bulldog track and field team's recruiting coordinator and sprints coach.
"I'm originally from California, so it's really humbling to be able to come closer to home to continue my coaching career," West said. "I'm grateful to coach Kraft for this opportunity and I'm ready to work with the sprinters and hurdlers and get them rolling. I want to continue to improve and continue to compete in the PAC-12 and nationally."
The Sun Devils' newest assistant brings 10 years of experience to The Valley. West has coached his fair share of elite athletes, including six Olympians, 31 All-Americans and an NCAA champion.
"I want to thank coach Petros Kyprianou at Georgia for the support he's given me over the last two years, and for the great opportunity to coach in the SEC," West said.
This past year was one of the best seasons in Georgia track and field history as the women took second at both the indoor and outdoor championships, and the men took fourth and sixth, respectively.
West assisted in the coaching of breakout sophomore Kendal Williams, who earned first-team All-America honor in the 60-meter dash, and the men's sprinters tallied 26 of UGA's 75 points at the SEC Outdoor Championships.
West has developed a reputation as one of the best recruiters in the sport during his time in the NCAA. He recently secured top-prospect Tara Davis and U-17 gold-medalist Lena Irby for the Bulldog women.
"Generally regarded as one of the elite recruiters in the country, coach West possesses the skill set to reinvigorate our men's sprint team," Kraft said.
Prior to his time in Athens, Georgia, West spent time as an assistant across the U.S., making stops at Texas Tech, Miami (Fla.), Florida State, Air Force and Kennesaw State.
While at Miami, West coached the men's 4X100-meter relay team to its first regional appearance in four years and he helped Artie Burns win the ACC title in the men's 60-meter hurdles, and earn second-team All-America honors in the same event. As the Seminole sprints coach, West coached the men's 4x100 team to All-America honors, as well as helped Dentarius Locke and James Harris claim NCAA Championships berths.
The Falcons also thrived under West. Air Force's men's 4X400-meter relay team brought home its first Mountain West title, and Bryce Bergman won the school's first conference title in the 400-meter hurdles under West's guidance.
West got his collegiate coaching start at Kennesaw State in Atlanta, and was a catalyst for the Owls' dominant run, during which the men's squad won four Atlantic Sun conference titles.
During his tenure at Kennesaw State, West received his degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2010.
West's accomplishments in the college ranks make up just some of his successes in his coaching career.
He made a name for himself on the high school and international level as well, coaching nine Georgia state meet finalists while working as an assistant at Norcross High School in the Peach State. He also sent an athlete to the IAAF World Junior Championships in the 100-meter hurdles in 2010. The year prior, West coached an athlete to the USTF Junior Championships in the 100.
West attended St. Mary's College where he played football and ran on the track team before he transferred to Morehouse College in Atlanta where he finished his athletics career.
West's addition to the Sun Devil coaching staff is the first since Jeremy Rasmussen was promoted to men's and women's cross country head coach earlier this month.
"Coach Devin West's name quickly rose to the top of our job search," Kraft said. "The depth of people that spoke on Devin's behalf came from all levels of our great sport and they all spoke of his work ethic and professionalism."
West makes the move to Tempe after spending two years at the University of Georgia as the Bulldog track and field team's recruiting coordinator and sprints coach.
"I'm originally from California, so it's really humbling to be able to come closer to home to continue my coaching career," West said. "I'm grateful to coach Kraft for this opportunity and I'm ready to work with the sprinters and hurdlers and get them rolling. I want to continue to improve and continue to compete in the PAC-12 and nationally."
The Sun Devils' newest assistant brings 10 years of experience to The Valley. West has coached his fair share of elite athletes, including six Olympians, 31 All-Americans and an NCAA champion.
"I want to thank coach Petros Kyprianou at Georgia for the support he's given me over the last two years, and for the great opportunity to coach in the SEC," West said.
This past year was one of the best seasons in Georgia track and field history as the women took second at both the indoor and outdoor championships, and the men took fourth and sixth, respectively.
West assisted in the coaching of breakout sophomore Kendal Williams, who earned first-team All-America honor in the 60-meter dash, and the men's sprinters tallied 26 of UGA's 75 points at the SEC Outdoor Championships.
West has developed a reputation as one of the best recruiters in the sport during his time in the NCAA. He recently secured top-prospect Tara Davis and U-17 gold-medalist Lena Irby for the Bulldog women.
"Generally regarded as one of the elite recruiters in the country, coach West possesses the skill set to reinvigorate our men's sprint team," Kraft said.
Prior to his time in Athens, Georgia, West spent time as an assistant across the U.S., making stops at Texas Tech, Miami (Fla.), Florida State, Air Force and Kennesaw State.
While at Miami, West coached the men's 4X100-meter relay team to its first regional appearance in four years and he helped Artie Burns win the ACC title in the men's 60-meter hurdles, and earn second-team All-America honors in the same event. As the Seminole sprints coach, West coached the men's 4x100 team to All-America honors, as well as helped Dentarius Locke and James Harris claim NCAA Championships berths.
The Falcons also thrived under West. Air Force's men's 4X400-meter relay team brought home its first Mountain West title, and Bryce Bergman won the school's first conference title in the 400-meter hurdles under West's guidance.
West got his collegiate coaching start at Kennesaw State in Atlanta, and was a catalyst for the Owls' dominant run, during which the men's squad won four Atlantic Sun conference titles.
During his tenure at Kennesaw State, West received his degree in interdisciplinary studies in 2010.
West's accomplishments in the college ranks make up just some of his successes in his coaching career.
He made a name for himself on the high school and international level as well, coaching nine Georgia state meet finalists while working as an assistant at Norcross High School in the Peach State. He also sent an athlete to the IAAF World Junior Championships in the 100-meter hurdles in 2010. The year prior, West coached an athlete to the USTF Junior Championships in the 100.
West attended St. Mary's College where he played football and ran on the track team before he transferred to Morehouse College in Atlanta where he finished his athletics career.
West's addition to the Sun Devil coaching staff is the first since Jeremy Rasmussen was promoted to men's and women's cross country head coach earlier this month.