Coleman Elevated To Associate Head T&F Coach

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Max Coleman has been named associate head coach of the UNCW track and field/cross country programs after helping the Seahawks increase the success and visibility of the programs over the last three seasons.

Coleman, a native of Trumbull, Conn., joined the Seahawk staff as an assistant coach in March of 2020 following stints at Springfield (Mass.), Transylvania, High Point and Catawba. He has coached a national qualifier at all three NCAA classifications.

"We're very excited to reward Max with this appointment," said Jeff Klaves, UNCW's fourth-year head track and field/cross country coach. "Max has been instrumental in the growth and development of the program since I arrived. Working alongside Max over the last three years, I have truly appreciated his blue collar, hard-working mentality. He continues to focus on how we can continue to improve and that has been vital as we lay the foundation for our culture."

Since joining the Seahawk staff, Coleman has coached NCAA qualifiers in the long jump, high jump and 110 hurdles and mentored CAA champions in the triple jump, long jump and 110 hurdles. He has coached student-athletes who have set six school records and won nine individual CAA titles.

In 2022-23, Coleman coached the school's first NCAA national qualifier in 17 years in the 110H, Josh Parks, and had another student-athlete, Courtney Lines, qualify for the USATF Nationals in the women's long jump.

Lines captured the 2022 ECAC Indoors Long Jump crown under Coleman's watchful eye. In addition, new school records in the triple jump, long jump and 110 hurdles have been established during Coleman's stay.

"I'm very grateful to UNCW Athletics and Coach Klaves for believing in me," said Coleman. "I've learned a lot from Coach Klaves over the last three years, on and off the track. I'm very excited about what is ahead for this program.

"Being part of this team and seeing the growth and development of the program has been extremely rewarding. I'm grateful for this opportunity and look forward to helping the program continue to succeed in new ways."

Before moving to the coast, Coleman spent 2017-19 and the early part of 2019-20 helping Catawba establish its new program. He previously worked at Transylvania.

In March of 2020, Coleman carried Catawba sophomore MeKayla White to the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in Birmingham. White, who was ranked 10^th in D-II, competed in the long jump at the Birmingham CrossPlex and became the first Catawba student-athlete to qualify for the nationals.

A 2014 graduate of High Point, where he competed in the high jump, long jump and relays. Coleman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Springfield (Mass.) College, coaching his first two All-Americans in the men's long jump and women's 60 meters. Coleman developed training programs for the sprints and jumps events and assisted with home meet management while earning his graduate degree.

Coleman accepted his first full-time position at NCAA Division III Transylvania and spent one year with the Pioneers. He worked with the hurdles, sprints and jumps events, coaching the school's first All-American and a pair of second-place national finishers in the 60 Meter and 100 Meter hurdles. Overall, he coached three national qualifiers and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Male and Female Athlete of the Year in Lexington, Ky.

Coleman, holds his USATF level 1 and 2 (jumps) as well as USATFCCA certifications in the specialties of combined events and jumps, sprints hurdles relays and advanced strength and conditioning.

What They're Saying About Max Coleman:

"Max is one of the best young coaches out there today. He is always trying to get better and does whatever he needs to help his student-athletes. His is a mentor as much as a coach and that is what is needed now more than ever."
                                                                                    -Jason Bryan
                                                                                    Head Coach, Catawba College

"Max is one of the best young technical coaches in the country. His ability to develop speed and power athletes defies his years."

                                                                                    -Jim Sprecher
                                                                                    Head Coach, Lynchburg University

"I'm very excited for Max. Max has an incredible work ethic and passion for track and field. He has shown from a very young age his propensity to make an impact on a program. UNCW is very fortunate to have him and I have no doubt Max will do great things in his new leadership position."

                                                                                    -Mike Esposito
                                                                                    Head Coach, High Point University

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Players Mentioned

Courtney Lines: 5' 11"; Freshman; Long Jump

Josh Parks: 6' 2"; Freshman; Sprints/Jumps

Players Mentioned

Courtney Lines
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Long Jump

Josh Parks
: 6' 2"; Freshman; Sprints/Jumps

UNC Wilmington Athletics

Scoreboard

Events/Results

Coleman Elevated To Associate Head T&F Coach

Players Mentioned

Courtney Lines

Josh Parks

Players Mentioned

Courtney Lines

Josh Parks