Kyle Long joined the South Dakota track and field coaching staff as an assistant coach on Sept. 12, 2022. He works primarily with the Coyote throwers.
Long just completed his third season with the Yotes, one that included a record setting year for one of his athletes, Lydia Knapp. Knapp won the discus and was runner-up in the hammer throw, breaking the school record in both events during the season. Knapp and teammate Delaney Smith, competed at the NCAA West First Rounds.
In his second year with the Coyotes, Long's throwers contributed to a Men's Indoor Summit League title. Meredith Clark was also the women's indoor shot put champion. During the outdoor season, Meredith Clark captured a second consecutive Field Championship MVP award after sweeping the shot put and discus titles.
In year one with the Coyotes, Long was a part of a men’s and women’s sweep at the Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships. His athlete, Meredith Clark, also captured the Summit League Field Championship MVP award at the outdoor meet for scoring the most points in field events.
Long came to South Dakota after three seasons at Minnesota State University Moorhead. In his time with the Dragons, he coached athletes to multiple top-10 performances including a school record in the discus. Along with building the program via training, he organized fundraising campaigns to outfit the throwing program with proper equipment to be successful.
Long graduated from Arizona State in 2017. He threw for the Sun Devils from 2012-17, garnering All-America accolades in the discus as a senior. After graduating, he stayed on at his alma mater as a volunteer coach. He worked with newcomers on throwing techniques across all four disciplines – shot put, discus, hammer and javelin.
Long also brings experience working as a private coach for three-time World finalist Maggie Ewen in the shot put. She has placed in the top-three at the U.S. Championships nine times between the indoor and outdoor seasons. She owns a personal best of 67 feet, 1 ¼ inches, (20.45m) in the shot put.
Long File:
- 2 Summit League Field Championship MVPs
- 8 Summit League Champion
- 21 All-Summit League honors in the throwing events
- Coach for two men’s and one women’s Summit League team title
