Coach Cleveland, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, brings over 17 years of head coaching experience along with more than three decades of leadership in medical, biotech, and pharmaceutical sales management. He is highly regarded for his ability to develop high-performance athletes and nationally ranked teams at both the high school and club levels. His expertise spans sports physiology, sports nutrition, injury prevention and rehabilitation, leadership development, and the design of progression-based training plans that maximize athletic growth and long-term success.
As an athlete, Coach Cleveland competed as a mid-distance runner at the NCAA Division I level for the University of New Mexico, racing distances from 800 meters through 10,000 meters. He went on to pursue a six-year professional career as a triathlete and duathlete, earning a place on the U.S. Pro Duathlon Team in both 1991 and 1992. His competitive highlights include winning a bronze medal at the 1991 World Duathlon Championships and achieving a world ranking of fourth in duathlon that same year.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Cleveland has guided athletes to some of the top marks in the nation. His athletes have achieved standout performances such as 10.49 in the 100 meters, 21.19 and 21.30 in the 200 meters, 47.40 and 47.63 in the 400 meters, 1:51.87 in the 800 meters, 4:06 in the 1600 meters, 8:55 and 8:58 in the 3200 meters, and 14:25 in the 5K. Relay highlights include a 3:16.13 in the 1600-meter relay and a 3:29.89 in the 1600-meter medley relay.
His impact has been recognized with multiple awards, including New Mexico NMTCCCA High School Coach of the Year honors at Volcano Vista in 2015 and at Hope Christian in both 2018 (honorary) and 2019. In 2012, his Cougar Track Club set a national record by winning seven of 12 possible team titles at the USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country National Championships, the most ever by a single club at one championship. Additionally, Coach Cleveland has mentored several athletes who earned Gatorade New Mexico Athlete of the Year honors, including recipients in track and field (2016, 2018) and cross country (2020, 2021).
He is married 31 years to his wife Julie Cleveland. They have three boys in their mid-20s: Dakota, Jericho and Sequoyah. They have two dogs, Kane and Dandelion.Â
