Hart Named Colorado State Cross Country Head Coach
5/1/2023 3:49:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Assistant coach promoted to helm of Colorado State distance crew
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State has a new leader of its cross country program as Director of Athletics Joe Parker and 17-year Track and Field Head Coach Brian Bedard announced the promotion of current Assistant Coach Kelly Hart to Head Coach of the Colorado State Cross Country program Monday afternoon.
"I had the opportunity to hire Kelly as an assistant coach nine months ago and I've been thoroughly impressed with her work ethic, passion for coaching, recruiting abilities and overall knowledge of the sport. She's endured a nine-month long evaluation period with multiple job interviews before I made the decision to hire her as the head cross country coach," Bedard said.
Kelly Hart joined Colorado State as the assistant coach for cross country prior to the 2022 season after spending the 2021 season on staff at Tulsa for her first post-collegiate position. The two-time All-American at Notre Dame joined the Hurricane in August of 2021 and immediately helped Tulsa with championship results. The Hurricane men and women swept the American Athletic Conference in cross country titles, while Hart and Co. were named the AAC XC Coaching Staff of the Year.
"I am so grateful to Coach Bedard for giving me this opportunity to lead the cross country team here at Colorado State," Hart said. "Being part of the staff here is special– and I feel lucky to get to work alongside Coach Baily, Coach Riese and Coach Creech. They all care so much about our athletes, and work hard so we can keep winning championships."
During her time at Tulsa, Hart learned under the tutelage of Steve Gulley who has been at the helm of Tulsa's track and field and cross country program for 21 seasons. Also on staff, aiding in Hart's development was Taylor Gulley and Brian Biekert. The foursome made for one of the most extensive distance coaching staffs in the country.
"There has been nothing in this process that would raise concerns as to whether she can handle the job. I know she's young but there is no replacement for passion for coaching, servant leadership and talent," Bedard said. "Kelly Hart is a super star in the making and I'm confident in my ability to recognize talent and judge motives to be in coaching. Kelly is all about serving the student athletes through quality coaching, leadership, and energetic motivation. We look forward to Kelly's official start date and impact on our program."
In her nine months so far at Colorado State, Hart has already helped coach the Rams to a Mountain West Championship runner-up performance in both men's and women's cross country in 2022 as well as assisting Colorado State's 2023 Women's Indoor Mountain West Champion Track and Field team and runner up performance on the men's side.
"Coach Epperson, and before him– Coach Siemers, set the bar for Colorado State cross country very high, and I look forward to building on the progress they made here," Hart said. "Coach Epperson has been an incredible mentor for me, and I feel grateful to have gotten to learn from such a thoughtful, empathetic, and intelligent coach."
"The athletes here make this job so fun. They are such a motivated group and do a great job of supporting each other. I love coming to practice every day and working with them. I am looking forward to the rest of the outdoor season, as we come together as a team to chase two more conference titles," Hart said.
The Colorado State Track and Field team will continue its season at the 2023 Outdoor Mountain West Championship meet May 11-13.
"I had the opportunity to hire Kelly as an assistant coach nine months ago and I've been thoroughly impressed with her work ethic, passion for coaching, recruiting abilities and overall knowledge of the sport. She's endured a nine-month long evaluation period with multiple job interviews before I made the decision to hire her as the head cross country coach," Bedard said.
Kelly Hart joined Colorado State as the assistant coach for cross country prior to the 2022 season after spending the 2021 season on staff at Tulsa for her first post-collegiate position. The two-time All-American at Notre Dame joined the Hurricane in August of 2021 and immediately helped Tulsa with championship results. The Hurricane men and women swept the American Athletic Conference in cross country titles, while Hart and Co. were named the AAC XC Coaching Staff of the Year.
"I am so grateful to Coach Bedard for giving me this opportunity to lead the cross country team here at Colorado State," Hart said. "Being part of the staff here is special– and I feel lucky to get to work alongside Coach Baily, Coach Riese and Coach Creech. They all care so much about our athletes, and work hard so we can keep winning championships."
During her time at Tulsa, Hart learned under the tutelage of Steve Gulley who has been at the helm of Tulsa's track and field and cross country program for 21 seasons. Also on staff, aiding in Hart's development was Taylor Gulley and Brian Biekert. The foursome made for one of the most extensive distance coaching staffs in the country.
"There has been nothing in this process that would raise concerns as to whether she can handle the job. I know she's young but there is no replacement for passion for coaching, servant leadership and talent," Bedard said. "Kelly Hart is a super star in the making and I'm confident in my ability to recognize talent and judge motives to be in coaching. Kelly is all about serving the student athletes through quality coaching, leadership, and energetic motivation. We look forward to Kelly's official start date and impact on our program."
In her nine months so far at Colorado State, Hart has already helped coach the Rams to a Mountain West Championship runner-up performance in both men's and women's cross country in 2022 as well as assisting Colorado State's 2023 Women's Indoor Mountain West Champion Track and Field team and runner up performance on the men's side.
"Coach Epperson, and before him– Coach Siemers, set the bar for Colorado State cross country very high, and I look forward to building on the progress they made here," Hart said. "Coach Epperson has been an incredible mentor for me, and I feel grateful to have gotten to learn from such a thoughtful, empathetic, and intelligent coach."
"The athletes here make this job so fun. They are such a motivated group and do a great job of supporting each other. I love coming to practice every day and working with them. I am looking forward to the rest of the outdoor season, as we come together as a team to chase two more conference titles," Hart said.
The Colorado State Track and Field team will continue its season at the 2023 Outdoor Mountain West Championship meet May 11-13.