Alabama’s Blaine Wiley Named USTFCCCA’s South Region’s Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year
6/15/2023 11:35:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
The announcement marks the first time Wiley has earned the honor in his eight years with the Crimson Tide
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama track and field's Blaine Wiley has been named the USTFCCCA South Region's Men's Assistant Coach of the Year, the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Thursday.
In his eighth year overseeing the Crimson Tide's sprints and hurdles contingents, Wiley led Alabama to its most historic finish in the 400-meter hurdles, featuring a first-place finish from Chris Robinson and a second-place finish from Corde Long. In the very next event, Wiley and the Tide saw a fifth-place, national finish in the 200 meters, featuring Tarsis Orogot. Alabama concluded the night, and season, with a fourth-place finish in the 4x400-meter relay to close out the 2023 National Outdoor Championships.
As a program, the Crimson Tide finished eighth at the National Championships with 27 points.
Assistant Coach Blaine Wiley Said
"Great athletes make coaches look great. I am humbled to be recognized by my peers, but this award is really a tribute to the great athletes I get to work with here at Alabama. They earned this recognition as much as I did and I want to thank them for trusting me and following the plan."
Wiley's Stats
- Finished his eighth year at UA, overseeing men's sprints and hurdles
- Led the Tide to its most historic finish in the 400-meter hurdles (national champion: Robinson / national runner up: Long)
- Saw two additional top-five finishes at the 2023 national meet
- Fifth in the 200m (Orogot)
- Fourth in the 4x400-meter relay (Khaleb McRae, Long, Orogot, Robinson)
- Under his leadership, Orogot was named the Southeastern Conference's Male Runner of the Week, as well as USTFCCCA's Men's National Athlete of the Week, earlier this season
- Clocked the third-fastest, all-conditions 200-meter mark in collegiate history (10.60 (+2.9))
- Also the fastest, all-conditions time by an African in history.
- Every member of Wiley's nationals-qualifying 4x400-meter relay group advanced individually, as four additional athletes also qualified in the 4x100-meter relay
- Four of Wiley's athletes won SEC medals and earned second team All-SEC honors at last month's Outdoor Championships
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Players Mentioned
