Adrian Wheatley Appointed Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach

MUNCIE, Ind. - - The trajectory of the Ball State track & field and cross country programs has been on the rise for several years thanks to abundant contributions from high-performing student-athletes and strategically-driven coaches.

The proverbial arrow of the program will continue to point due north with the announcement of University of North Carolina assistant coach and three-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Regional Assistant Coach of the Year Adrian Wheatley as the program's next head coach.

"Attracting an individual of Adrian's ability, experience and vision puts our program in a terrific place to continue our rise in track & field and cross country," Ball State Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Beth Goetz said. "We are thrilled to welcome Coach Wheatley and his family into the Cardinals Community!"

Wheatley arrives in Muncie with 17 years of experience as an assistant and associate head coach highlighted by a pair of team conference championships. He's mentored 77 All-Americans, 31 conference champions and 116 NCAA First Round Qualifiers during stops at the aforementioned North Carolina, the University of Illinois, the University of Virginia, Austin Peay State University, and the College of Charleston.

Additionally, Wheatley has played key roles in recruiting, travel coordination, meet management and compliance coordination. He was also part of two conference coaching staffs of the year (Virginia, 2009; Illinois, 2015).

"It's an honor to lead the program at Ball State and build on the success from the past few seasons," Wheatley said. "I'm excited to get to know our student-athletes and lay the foundation for a successful season."

In Chapel Hill, Wheatley coached All-ACC performers Brianna White (400m), Anna Keefer (200m), and Isaiah Palmer (400m, 200m).

While helping build the Fighting Illini program in Urbana-Champaign into a Big Ten men's championship team, Wheatley mentored the likes of All-Americans David Kendziera (2nd in the 110h and 3rd in the 400h), Devin Quinn (7th in the NCAA, 100m), and DJ Zahn (3rd in the NCAA, 400m). His guidance also helped develop Cam Viney (110h, 400h), Stephon Pamilton (400m), and Brandon Styrganek (4 x 100m) into NCAA finalists.

His most high-profile pupil from Illinois is Kendziera, a 10-time All-American and United States Olympic hurdler whom Wheatley accompanied to Tokyo last month.

While at Virginia, Wheatley guided Adams Abdulrazaaq, Steve Delice, and Ayla Smith to NCAA qualifications.

Early in his coaching career, Wheatley helped coached Kosha Lance (Southern Conference, weight and hammer throw), Keyvia Davis (Ohio Valley Conference, long jump), and Leeann White (Ohio Valley Conference, long jump) to conference titles during his stints with Charleston and Austin Peay, respectively.

The Worthington, Ohio, native was an All-SEC (800m) and All-American (4 x 400m relay) member of the 2001 national championship team while competing at the University of Tennessee. Wheatley was named the Ed South Men's Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2002 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Urban Planning.

Wheatley and his wife Hollie have five children.

Adrian Wheatley Appointed Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach

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