Harry Marra, the former Team USA decathlon coach from 1990 to 2000, has been named assistant track and field coach for the Ducks, replacing Dan Steele.
“Harry Marra has been a leader within the combined event community and has guided athletes to success in the biggest meets in our sport for over 30 years,” Oregon associate athletic director Vin Lananna said in a media release. “His passion, technical expertise, extensive experience coaching athletes to success at the Olympics and World Championships, unparalleled work ethic and enthusiasm, and his understanding of the special place that Oregon track and field occupies in the sporting world are valuable assets that he brings to our program.”
Marra, who will oversee the Ducks’ multi-event athletes, pole vaulters and high jumpers, has coached five decathletes to 8,000-point marks as the coach of Team USA. His last collegiate experience came at San Francisco State University (1981-1993), where he coached one NCAA champion and 24 All-Americans. He has spent the past decade as a private coach for several athletes.
“I’m thrilled to join a program with the stature and tradition of the University of Oregon and to have the opportunity to work with the outstanding student-athletes in the Duck program,” said Marra, whose first day on the job was Wednesday, in a media release. “Being able to coach at Hayward Field and in this community is truly something special.”
Lananna also announced the expanded roles of assistant coach Robert Johnson — rumored to be a potential in-house candidate for the post — and volunteer assistant coach Jenni Ashcroft. Johnson will coach the men’s and women’s sprinters, hurdlers and long jumpers, while Ashcroft will help instruct the multi-event athletes, along with the pole vaulters and high jumpers.
[email protected]
Marra hired as assistant track and field coach
Daily Emerald
November 3, 2009
0
More to Discover