West Joins FSU Track Staff As Sprints, Hurdles Assistant

Former Air Force assistant will work with Seminole men and women.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Devin West has joined the Florida State track & field program as an assistant coach, where he will work with the men and women sprinters and hurdlers.

West joins the Seminole staff after a little more than one full season as an assistant at Air Force, where he had oversight of the Falcons’ men and women sprinters and hurdlers.

“Everybody I know in the coaching community tells me Devin is a rising star and going to be one of the top coaches in the country for sprints, hurdles and relays,” Florida State head track & field coach Bob Braman said. “Everybody can see he’s ready to take that next step and he’s got a great mentor in Ken Harnden.”

West will work directly with Harnden, who was recently appointed as FSU’s Director of Sprints, Hurdles and Relays, overseeing both the men and women.

“Being a part of the Florida State track & field program is an awesome opportunity and one that any young coach dreams about,” West said. “I look forward to working beside such accomplished coaches and being a part of the Seminole Nation.” 

Success has followed West throughout the early stages of his coaching career.

In his lone full season with the Falcons, West’s indoor 4x400-meter relay team captured the first Mountain West Conference championship in program history. He also developed Bryce Bergman who delivered the squad’s first conference championship in the 400-meter hurdles, a spot in the first round of the NCAA Championships and an appearance in the 2011 USATF National Championships. Two Falcon relay teams and two individual athletes earned all-conference honors, while Anthony Delgado earned All-America honors as the sprinter on the Air Force record-setting distance medley relay team.

On the women’s side, two of West’s athletes broke the Air Force school mark in the 400-meter hurdles a combined four times.

In addition, West coached a 2010 IAAF World Junior Championship qualifier in the men’s 110-meter hurdle and a 2009 USATF Junior National qualifier in the 100-meter dash.

“We are all very excited about hiring Devin,” Harnden said. “He brings a passion and knowledge to our staff that will help us contend for national titles for years to come. Devin has produced at every level from high school to the Air Force Academy. I look forward to us teaming up to do the same at Florida State.” 

Prior to his time at Air Force, he spent three seasons at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, where he was instrumental in guiding the Owls to four Atlantic Sun Conference championships. He coach 19 A-Sun outdoor champions and 81 all-conference performers, including the 2009 Indoor and 2010 Outdoor Freshmen of the Years. Four of his athletes qualified for the NCAA East Regional in the 110-meter hurdle and 63 established Kennesaw State records on either the men’s or women’s squads.

West also assisted in the recruitment of three Nike Outdoor National participants and four state champions to Kennesaw State.

Prior to his time at Kennesaw State, West served as an assistant coach at Norcross High School, directing nine state meet finalists and 13 state meet qualifiers.

A USATF Level I certified coach, West graduated from Kennesaw State in 2010 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.

A native of Berkeley, California, West played football and ran track at Saint Mary’s College High School, where he was a two-time All-County and All-Region sprinter. West competed in the 100, 200 and 400-meter events and was a three-time California state track & field championship participant.

After high school, West attended Saint Mary’s College, before transferring to Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he was a member of the track & field and football teams.