Harnden Joins UT Track & Field Staff

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Two-time Olympian and veteran sprints coach Ken Harnden has joined the Tennessee track and field staff, director of track and field/cross country Beth Alford-Sullivan announced Wednesday.

Harnden will serve as the Vols' assistant coach for sprints, hurdles and relays. He comes to Rocky Top having spent the last three seasons in the same role at Georgia, and prior to that, he spent 12 seasons coaching at Florida State.

"I am thrilled to add Ken to our coaching staff here at UT," Alford-Sullivan said. "His consistent and proven success shows that he is one of the best sprints coaches in the country. The University of Tennessee sprints crew is storied in history and tradition. Our alums, current student-athletes and future Tennessee Volunteers deserve a coach that can build on that tradition at the highest level.

"Ken has a career filled with 14 Olympians, 25 NCAA individual Champions along with two collegiate records and 5 NCAA team titles. These results show Coach Harnden's commitment to consistently bringing out the best in his student-athletes. Former, current and future Tennessee Volunteers can rest-assured we have a proven veteran coach that has been there and done it multiple times."

The three-time USTFCCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year has guided 14 Olympians, 25 NCAA champions and more than 150 All-American honors. In addition to individual accolades, Harnden has contributed to substantial program-wide success as a part five NCAA team championship teams, most recently the Georgia men's outdoor title earlier this year.

"I would like to thank Coach Sullivan for inviting me to join this amazing staff," Harnden said. "I was blown away at how family oriented they are. This group of coaches is destined to do great things at Tennessee, and I am blessed to be a part of it. I would like to also thank Greg McGarity and Josh Brooks at UGA, I am so thankful for the opportunity I have had to work at UGA."

Numerous student-athletes have achieved world class times under Harnden's watch. Six of his sprinters have broken the 10-second barrier in the 100-meter dash. His short sprints coaching prowess is also exemplified in the 200 meters with six NCAA individual championships in the even under his watch.

Among that group is Walter Dix, a six-time NCAA champion and 18-time All-American for Florida State. He was a bronze medalist in the 100m and 200m at the 2008 Olympics and remains the NCAA record holder in the 200m (19.69).

Harnden also coached 2011 Bowerman Award winner Ngoni Makusha, who became the fifth man in NCAA history to win the 100m and long jump at the same championship (DeHart Hubbard, 1925; Jesse Owens, 1936; Carl Lewis, 1981; and Jarrion Lawson, 2016). Makusha also set the then-NCAA record in the 100m (9.89).

Over the last four years of coaching combined men and women sprint groups, Harnden has also coached several women to the top of the national podium. Kala Funderburk won the 2015 NCAA 400-meter dash for Florida State, capturing the title in 51.09 seconds. Harnden also recruited and worked with Lynna Irby at Georgia, who went on to win the 400m title for the Bulldogs this year as a freshman.

Harnden represented Zimbabwe in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games in the 400m hurdles, and he competed in the event three times at the IAAF World Championships, making the finals twice. He holds Zimbabwe's national record in the 400m hurdles (48.05).

On the collegiate stage, Harnden competed for North Carolina, where he won the 1995 NCAA title in the 400m hurdles. He was also part of the 1995 NCAA indoor champion 4x400m relay team.

Harnden is the father of two sons: Garry (10) and Pierce (6).

STAFF COMPLETE: Alford-Sullivan has added three coaches to the staff this summer. Harnden joins newcomers Travis Geopfert (associate head coach) and Ryan Foster (assistant coach, distance and recruiting coordinator).

Assistant coach John Newell is entering his sixth season as the throws coach, and assistant coach for sprints David Neville is now in his second year at Tennessee.

"We have worked hard this summer to assemble a great track and field staff here on Rocky Top," Alford-Sullivan said. "The energy and enthusiasm that this staff brings is contagious. I feel it, the alums will feel it, the recruits will feel it and most importantly the student-athletes will feel it. All of these coaches bring great success to our team, and success builds upon success. I couldn't be more excited for our current and future Tennessee Volunteers."

2018-19 Tennessee Track & Field Staff
Beth Alford-Sullivan - Director of track and field and cross country
Travis Geopfert - Associate Head Coach
Ken Harnden – Assistant Coach (sprints/hurdles/relays)
John Newell - Assistant Coach (throws)
David Neville - Assistant Coach (sprints/hurdles/relays)
Ryan Foster - Assistant Coach (distance) / Recruiting Coordinator

University of Tennessee Athletics

Related Videos