Gunnison, Colo. Western Colorado University athletics has announced Austin Billings as the head coach of the Mountaineers' men's and women's track and field program.
"I am beyond excited to start my time at Western! WCU has always been on my radar, for the storied program, natural beauty, and the amazing people in Gunnison, CO. There is an immense amount of talent right here on our campus, that I believe will help jump start this new beginning. Being able to take over this program brings so much opportunity, potential, and excitement. I hope to create a program that cultivates a challenging and competitive team atmosphere, taking them to new heights and bring home conference titles. I am proud to usher in a new era of Mountaineer track and field!"
Billings joins the Mountaineers following two seasons as head coach at Black Hills State University where he helped athletes earn a plethora of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors and awards. He led the recruiting efforts along side coaching sprints, hurdles, throws, and combined group events.
Before Black Hills State, Billings served the 2018-2021 seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Montevallo, Alabama. There he oversaw the training for jumpers, vaulters, sprinters, hurdlers and multis. In 2021 he was named NCAA Division II South Region Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year due to his work with exceptional student-athlete Da'Shaun Morgan, who earned two-time NCAA DII South Region Athlete of the Year, three-time Gulf South Conference Athlete of the Year and three All-American selections.
In August 2021, he was hired as the assistant coach at Nicholls State University, Louisianna where he managed the program's sprints, hurdles, jumps, multis, and relays. Additionally, he accepted the responsibilities of recruiting for the team during his final three seasons with the Falcons.
The fall before joining Nicholls athletics, he assisted his alma mater, Samford University, Alabama, handling workout routines for student-athletes.
Prior to his coaching days, Billings competed in sprints, hurdles, jumps, vaults, and throws at Samford from 2015-17. In his final outdoor season, Billings hit personal bests in five events: heptathlon, long jump, high jump, 500-meters and 60-meters.
He started his collegiate track and field career at East Tennessee State University in 2013-14.
"Austin's previous experience in the RMAC and extensive background coaching, training and recruiting conveys how prepared he is to take the reins of our Mountaineer program," said Director of Athletics Miles Van Hee. "He impresses with his all-around knowledge, and incredible reach of connections and relationships within the track and field world, enabling him to attract talented student-athletes to Western Colorado."
"We are incredibly eager to have Austin join our department and the program. It is wonderful to know that the passion and energy he brings will rub off on his colleagues, athletes and anyone he encounters."
Billings received his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Samford in May 2017.
For more information visit
https://gomountaineers.com/.
