Coach Steve Keith
2/9/2005 12:00:00 AM
Steve Keith
Head Cross Country Coach
Assistant Track and Field Coach
skeith@ia.ua.edu
(205) 348-6805
Steve Keith is in his fifth year as head coach of the Alabama cross country squad and he comes into the year with a bevy of hand picked talent.
"The key to coaching distance athletes is that you need the patience to let them develop," Keith said. "This year's juniors are a prime example of that. They really came into their own during last year's track season and I think that's going to carry over very well to the fall."
Keith has worked hard to bolster the Crimson Tide in terms of both depth and talent over the past four seasons and he has his squad on the verge of a break through season.
"This group is hungry for more," Keith said. "They've set some goals for the team and I think they have a great opportunity to move this program forward."
Keith knows that to be among the top teams in the Southeastern Conference is to be among the top teams in the nation. He also knows that Alabama's tradition includes strong middle distance and distance runners. He is determined to return that tradition to the highest level.
"I enjoy the opportunity to sell Alabama, the school and the program, to top student-athletes throughout the Southeast and the nation," Keith said. "This is a great place to go to school, train and compete. There are no limits to Alabama's potential." In addition to a large number of personal best times last spring, Alabama's distance program also scored at the SEC Championships in several events and junior Megan Carnes shattered the school record on her way to qualifying for the NCAA MidEast Regional.
Keith came to Alabama after a seven-year stint as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach for the Texas-El Paso's men and women's program. While at UTEP, he coached two national champions and 22 All-Americans.
In addition to their prowess on the collegiate level, Keith coached athletes have finaled at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, European Championships and World University Games. He has also coached internationally, serving as USA National Coach at the 1990 Yokohama International Women's Ekiden Relay and as an assistant coach at the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival.
Keith coached the NIKE South Track and Field squad from 1991-94 and other coaching stops include Georgia Tech (1986-91) and Emory University (1983-86).
Seven of his athletes have earned Academic All-American honors and seven of his squads have been named Academic All-American teams including all four of his Alabama cross country squads. Last year marked the fifth time since 1998 that an Alabama cross country squad has earned the Academic All-American distinction.
"It's obviously something we're very proud of," Keith said. "I can't stress enough the importance of an Alabama education. It's something that will hold them in good stead for the rest of their lives."
A member of Vanderbilt University's cross country and track squads from 1977-81, Keith graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy 1981.
