USC Adds Distance Coach Milton Mallard To Track & Field Staff

Extremely accomplished track and field coach Milton Mallard has been named USC's assistant coach for distances and associate head coach for cross country, it was announced by Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Quincy Watts today (Aug. 28).

Mallard coached at Texas A&M from 2011-12 and from 2018-23 developing nine NCAA Champions, seven USATF National Champions and 27 Conference champions.

Mallard spent the 2023-24 season at UTEP as the associate head coach of track and field. He helped lead his athletes to six school records in his time at UTEP.

"It is with great excitement that we welcome coach Milton Mallard as our new distance and cross country coach here at USC," said Watts. "Coach Mallard has an impressive track record, having coached some of the most successful student-athletes in NCAA history. We are truly thrilled and honored to have him join our staff, and we look forward to the incredible impact he will have on our program and our student-athletes."

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to coach Watts, the USC administration and the entire USC community for the warm welcome extended to me and my family," said Mallard. "Having had the privilege of working at several esteemed programs over the years, I am truly excited and blessed to embark on this new journey at USC. The university stands as a pillar of excellence both on and off the field, and I look forward to collaborating with exceptional student-athletes and colleagues. Fight On!"

While at Texas A&M, Mallard served as an assistant coach for the sprints, middle distances and relays, while leading the charge for the Aggies recruiting efforts. One of the 46 NCAA All-Americans that Mallard helped develop is the USA record-holder in the women's 800m race, Athing Mu, who clocked 1:55.21 in winning the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In her one season at Texas A&M under Mallard, Mu was a four-time All-American and a three-time NCAA champion. She set 11 all-time top-12 mark, including six all-time collegiate records. Also, Brandon Miller won the 2022 NCAA indoor 800m title and the 2021 SEC 800m title-the fourth time in five seasons a Texas A&M athlete won the title.

During the shortened 2020 season his athletes earned 11 All-America honors and two SEC indoor event titles. Devin Dixon claimed his third consecutive SEC indoor 800m gold, while the men's 4x400m claimed its fourth consecutive SEC title. Carlton Orange and true freshman Charokee Young each earned All-SEC honors with third place finishes in the 800m.

Mallard played a key role in the success of the Aggie women's fourth-place team finish at the 2019 NCAA Championships in Austin. He coached Jazmine Fray to her first NCAA title in the women's 800 meters while Devin Dixon (American Collegiate indoor 800m record holder) and Carlton Orange earned second and fourth place finishes in the men's 800. The Aggies closed both NCAA Championship meets in style by sweeping the mile relays with the men just missing the NCAA record after finishing in 2:59.05.

During Mallard's first semester on the job in Spring 2018, the Aggies swept the SEC Outdoor Meet in the 800 meters while Sammy Watson went on to win the NCAA Championship at that distance. The Aggie women claimed three of the top five spots in the women's 800 meters at the 2018 SEC Championships while three different 800 meter athletes, headlined by Watson's NCAA title, scored at the national meet. Mallard also helped coach the Aggie men's mile relay to an SEC title and an NCAA runner-up finish in 2018.

Prior to returning to Texas A&M in 2018, Mallard was an athletic coordinator and coach within the Channelview school district. He also served as co-events director for the Houston site of the American Track League.

Following his service as a volunteer coach in 2012 at Texas A&M, Mallard became an assistant coach at Texas Lutheran University, working with the men's and women's sprints, hurdles and relays. The men's team at Texas Lutheran also restarted its program that year.

Mallard also coached athletes to national championship titles in Jamaica (2), Bermuda and the Bahamas, and was the head jumps coach for the Bermuda World Indoor Championship team in 2008.

As a professional athlete, Mallard competed from 1997 to 2005 and qualified for the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200 meters. He ranked among the top 20 in the world in the 200m in 1994, 2000 and 2004. In 2000 he placed fourth in the 200m dash at the USATF Indoor Championships.

Collegiately, Mallard competed for UTEP and LSU. In addition to five All-America honors, Mallard claimed five Western Athletic Conference titles at UTEP and two SEC titles at LSU. At UTEP, Mallard was the 1994 NCAA runner-up in the 400m. He was also a scoring member of two top-three team finishes at the NCAA Championships.

In 1992, Mallard earned gold and silver medals in the World Junior Championships. As a prep at North Garland High School (Texas), Mallard won a pair of State 5A titles in the 200m and 400m in 1992.

Following his retirement as a professional sprinter, Mallard worked with Carl Lewis Athletics, where he was involved with athlete recruitment as well as meet and sponsorship scheduling. Mallard assisted Lewis in developing and overseeing projects with the IAAF, USATF and several community-based programs throughout the country.

Mallard is married to LaTarsha Stroman Mallard, a four-time track and field champion for LSU. The Mallards have three daughters – Keondra, Aliyah and London.

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USC Adds Distance Coach Milton Mallard To Track & Field Staff

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