Assistant XC/Track & Field Coach

Bio

In the 2024-25 Season as the Assistant Coach for the Coach Backer, led the Men's and Women's Cross-Country teams to 12th-place finishes for the men's team and 13th-place finishes for the women's team. During the Indoor season, the men's team and women's team took 12th place at the SAC Indoor Track & Field Championship. In the Outdoor Season, the men's team took home a 12th-place finish while the women's team took home a 13th-place finish. Over the season, Coach Baker was able to help this team break 4 school records during the indoor and outdoor seasons. The first of the record breakers was Dakota Jernigan, who set a school record in the indoor high jump with a final height of 1.61m. Then, in the outdoor season, Donovan Jones tied the school record in the 200m and broke the 400m record twice over the course of the season. Then, finally, in the SAC Championships, Lyniah Kitt broke the school record in the Javelin Throw.

In his first season as the Assistant Coach for Coker's Men's & Women's Cross Country & Track & Field teams, Baker was able to help coach the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams to a 13th overall team finish in the South Atlantic Conference Championship meet.

Paul Baker started his coaching career at Colorado Mesa University as a Volunteer Assistant Triathlon Coach
during the 2018 season. Helped the Mavs to a Division II national runner-up title. In 2020 took
on the role of a Graduate Assistant for XC and T& F at Indiana University. Assisted the Hoosiers
Men’s XC team to a Big Ten runner-up for the 2020-2021 season. Completed Master’s degree in
Kinesiology/ Sport Science from IU in 2022.
Completed Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Trine University while being a member
of the Track and Field team for 2014-2019 and a member of the XC team for 2016-18. Earned
MIAA Academic Honor Roll Outdoor Track & Field in the 2018-2019 season.