Kittley Selected to Direct Track and Field Program
July 06, 1999 | Outdoor Track
July 30, 1999
LUBBOCK, Texas - Wes Kittley, the former head coach at Abilene Christian University who has won more national track and field titles than any other coach in NCAA history, has been selected to head both the men's and women's track and field programs at Texas Tech University.
The selection of Kittley comes after it was announced on Tuesday of this week that he would head the men's program.
"Wes is a tremendous coach and we are very excited to have him heading our program," Texas Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers said. "We feel coach Kittley has the ability and experience to make this team successful for years to come."
Kittley's credentials, and trophy collection, speak for themselves. Upon taking over as the Abilene Christian women's head coach in 1985 Kittley built the Wildcats into a national powerhouse. In 1993, Kittley took over duties as the ACU men's coach where he continued his winning ways. Since 1985, Kittley has won a combined total of 29 NCAA Division II national championships.
His former student-athletes include several Olympians, Pan American Games medalist Mazel Thomas, U.S. high jump champion Yolanda Henry, World Cup medalist Mary Tombiri, and Commonwealth Games medalist Savieri Ngidhi.
Twice in his career Kittley has directed his team to a "national title sweep" - winning all four possible national championships (indoors and outdoors for both men and women). His Wildcat men and women accomplished the feat in 1996 and again in 1999.
Kittley, 41, is a native of Rule, Texas. He was a Class A Texas State champion in the 800-meter run at Rule High School before attending Abilene Christian. At ACU Kittley was a middle distance runner on the track and field team where he ended up being a three-year letterwinner, team captain and NAIA All-American. He graduated from ACU in 1981 and took over as the women's head coach four years later.
"I'm very excited to be a Red Raider," Kittley said. "I'm excited to be at a Division I program, especially Texas Tech. I'm a West Texas kid. I was born here, my family is here, my in-laws are here. Its my kind of place and my kind of people."