Smith Gilbert Named USATF Nike Coach Of The Year

USC Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert has been named the 2018 USA Track & Field Association (USATF) Nike Coach of the Year and will be honored during its Night of Legends event on Dec. 1 in Columbus, Ohio.

"Caryl has become one of the world's greatest coaches, and the consistent success of her athletes is a testament to that fact," USATF CEO Max Siegel said. "USATF congratulates her on this richly deserved honor."

Smith Gilbert earned her first national title by guiding the USC women's team to the 2018 NCAA Outdoor T&F Championship, the second in program history. The women claimed the crown with an epic come-from-behind victory in the 4x400m relay, the meet's final event. The men's team had a historic final day with Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin combining to set three collegiate records en route to a fourth place team finish. This was the culmination of an extremely successful season which also saw the men's team take second and the women' seventh at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships, the women's team winning the Pac-12 title and the men taking third and both teams winning the MPSF indoor conference team titles.

During the 2018 indoor and outdoor seasons, USC athletes garnered 37 All-America honors, set 10 school records and six USC freshman records. The Trojans were also strong in the classroom with Michael Norman earning the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Indoor Scholar of the Year and the women's team the outdoor Women's Scholar Team of the Year.

"This award is not about me, it's about allowing the world to have a preview of what women can to," said Smith Gilbert. "This is a testament to all the years of hard work, but most importantly, it's about changing lives and helping people along the way. I've been fortunate to do that in my career."

Players Mentioned

Rai Benjamin

Michael Norman