Texas Tech's Wes Kittley, chosen for track coaches' Hall of Fame, says he'll coach past 70
Wes Kittley has coached teams to 29 national championships at Abilene Christian University and another one at Texas Tech.
He's led the Tech women to three Big 12 team championships in cross country and the Tech men to eight Big 12 titles in track and field, including a sweep of the conference indoor and outdoor meets this year.
Just before next season starts, the Red Raiders' coach will be inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame. Kittley and five others will be enshrined during ceremonies Dec. 12 in the Denver suburb of Aurora, Colorado.
The USTFCCCA announced the class on Tuesday.
"It's just a culmination of a lot of great assistant coaches," Kittley said. "I've got a great group of them here. I had a good group at Abilene. Some of them are the same ones that are here. Great athletic directors. Great presidents. Everybody's been supportive, no one more than my wife and my children."
The others elected to the class are John Homon (Mount Union), Phil Lundin (Minnesota and St. Olaf), Donna Ricks (Dodge City Community College, Northwest Missouri State, Minnesota State-Mankato and Carleton), Martin Smith (Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa State, Virginia and Oklahoma) and Victor Thomas (Lincoln, Missouri.).
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This school year starts Kittley's 25th season at Tech. In 1999, Tech advertised the position at $65,000 and Kittley came to Lubbock to interview. When Kittley started to leave the building without accepting, then-athletics director Gerald Myers spontaneously offered $80,000.
Kittley said he thought Tech track and field was a potential gold mine program. Now he wouldn't dream of giving it up. He's 64, and said Tuesday he wants to keep coaching past age 70.
"All my friends are asking me when I'm going to retire and that kind of thing," he said, "but I don't even have the thought. I love doing this. I love working with kids. I love working with my team, whether it's the trainers, the academic advisers to the sports administration, you (media) guys.
"It's all about relationships. It's all about the opportunity to come and make a difference. I'm a West Texas guy. I love this place. I want to put a great product out there."
Kittley also is on the ballot for the upcoming class of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. His name is among 20 on the primary ballot, from which six are elected.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech's Wes Kittley, chosen for track coaches' Hall of Fame, says he'll coach past 70
