Texas Tech University Athletics
Thomas to Coach USA Jumpers, Multis in Europe
April 19, 2019 | Track and Field
Thomas, USA will compete in dual meet with Europe in September.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Associate head coach James Thomas was selected by USA Track & Field as an assistant coach for the 2019 Europe vs. USA Match in September. Thomas will coach the team's men's jumpers and multis competitors.Â
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"I've been extremely blessed to travel around the nation and the world for many years in this sport thanks to some incredible athletes," Thomas said. "However, there is something uniquely exciting and humbling to be named a coach for Team USA.
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"I've personally witnessed athletes give it all just to have the chance to represent their country at international competitions," he said. "I certainly won't take this opportunity for granted as a coach."Â
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Now in his seventh year as a Red Raider, Thomas has firmly established Texas Tech as the premier destination for collegiate jumpers. He has coached over 60 All-Americans and an astounding 43 school record performances since arriving in Lubbock. Thomas has coached five national champions at Tech, all of whom won the high jump. Four of those came between 2013-2017 in the men's high jump thanks to JaCorian Duffield (2015 indoor, 2015 outdoor) and Trey Culver (2016 indoor, 2017 indoor). Just over one month ago, he gained the first women's national champion of his coaching career when Zarriea Willis won the high jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships.Â
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"I'm so proud of what he's accomplished in the seven years he's been with us," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Wes Kittley. "It's such a great opportunity for him, and he will be a great ambassador for Texas Tech. I'm always proud when any of our coaches are selected to coach at the national level, and I'm especially proud of James – he's been with me now for seven years and has made Texas Tech so proud."
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The Europe vs. USA Match will be held Sept. 9-10 at Dinamo Stadium in Belarus.Â
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"I've been extremely blessed to travel around the nation and the world for many years in this sport thanks to some incredible athletes," Thomas said. "However, there is something uniquely exciting and humbling to be named a coach for Team USA.
Â
"I've personally witnessed athletes give it all just to have the chance to represent their country at international competitions," he said. "I certainly won't take this opportunity for granted as a coach."Â
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Â?? BREAKING ??@CoachThomasJr has been selected to oversee the @usatf jumpers and multis competitors at the Europe vs. USA Match this fall!
— Texas Tech T&F/XC (@TexasTechTF) April 19, 2019
???? #WreckEm ???? pic.twitter.com/HWF66uKSqR
Now in his seventh year as a Red Raider, Thomas has firmly established Texas Tech as the premier destination for collegiate jumpers. He has coached over 60 All-Americans and an astounding 43 school record performances since arriving in Lubbock. Thomas has coached five national champions at Tech, all of whom won the high jump. Four of those came between 2013-2017 in the men's high jump thanks to JaCorian Duffield (2015 indoor, 2015 outdoor) and Trey Culver (2016 indoor, 2017 indoor). Just over one month ago, he gained the first women's national champion of his coaching career when Zarriea Willis won the high jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships.Â
Â
"I'm so proud of what he's accomplished in the seven years he's been with us," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Wes Kittley. "It's such a great opportunity for him, and he will be a great ambassador for Texas Tech. I'm always proud when any of our coaches are selected to coach at the national level, and I'm especially proud of James – he's been with me now for seven years and has made Texas Tech so proud."
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The Europe vs. USA Match will be held Sept. 9-10 at Dinamo Stadium in Belarus.Â
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