Karl Goodman Named USC Track & Field Assistant Coach For Sprints
July 21, 2023 | Track & Field
Has developed elite sprinters at every stop in his career
The USC track and field program has named Karl Goodman as assistant coach for sprints, it was announced by USC Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Quincy Watts today (July 21).
"Karl has had a successful coaching career at Coastal Carolina, particularly in the sprints and hurdles events," said Watts. "It's impressive that he has developed several Division 1 NCAA All Americans in a short period of time. Melissa Jefferson's achievements, including winning the NCAA Indoor 60 meter championship and the U.S National championship in the 100 meters, highlight Karl's ability to mentor and train talented athletes. Her gold medal as part of the USA's 4x100 team is a testament to Karl's coaching prowess.
"Karl is known for his compassion and care for his student athletes. Building strong relationships and providing support to athletes can contribute significantly to their success and personal growth. With Karl's track record and dedication, he will be a valuable addition to the coaching staff at the University of Southern California. We welcome his family, wife Kayla and their 10-year-old daughter Layla."
Goodman has spent the past five seasons at Coastal Carolina, being named an assistant coach in 2019 and then being promoted to associate head coach on July 1, 2022. He worked primarily with the sprinters and hurdlers groups.
"It is an honor to join such a prestigious program at USC," said Goodman. "I am grateful to Coach Watts and his staff for welcoming my family to USC. I would like to thank my wife, family, the staff and athletes at Coastal Carolina and UT-Arlington, especially Coach Sandy, Coach Connie, Coach Sauerhage, Coach Edgar, Coach Rich and President Benson for believing in me and pushing me to be a better coach and person. I cannot wait to give my all for USC and continue to help young men and women better themselves as people. Fight On!"
Goodman helped the Chanticleers reach new heights, both in the Sun Belt Conference and nationally, particularly in the sprints and hurdles areas. He coached seven men and 11 women to all-time Coastal Carolina times in the sprints and hurdles in his five seasons.
In 2023, Alexis Glasco earned first-team All-America honors in the 100m hurdles, placing sixth at the NCAA Championships with a time of 12.74w. At the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds, he guided Glasco to a Coastal Carolina school record of 12.67 (+1.9) in the 100m hurdles. He also guided Kayla Sweeney to regionals in the 100m and 200m, reaching the NCAA quarterfinals in the 200m. Also, hurdler Sydney Clemens reached the NCAA quarterfinals in the 100m hurdles. Goodman also coached Braydon Bennett to the East Prelims in the 110m hurdles.
Goodman coached two Sun Belt Conference Women's Outdoor Track Athletes of the Year (2021 and 2022), the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Women's Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year, and the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Women's Outdoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year, as well as the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Track Performer of the Year, two Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Track Newcomers of the Year (2020 and 2021), and two Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Freshman of the Year (2020 and 2021).
Under his leadership, the Chanticleers' sprinters, hurdlers, and relay groups have earned a total of 13 All-America honors, including a program-record of 11 All-American accolades during the 2022 outdoor season. He was key in coaching Melissa Jefferson who was the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track & Field champion in the 60m dash. Jefferson also became a 2022 U.S. National Champion with a first-place finish in the 100m at the 2022 Toyota USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and a 2022 World Champion gold medalist as part of Team USA's winning 4x100m relay team at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Goodman also helped guide Mekenze Kelley to a first-place finish in the 400m at the 2022 USA U20 Championships to become a national champion and qualify for the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships where she took ninth place. She also won a gold medal as part of Team USA's 4x400m relay team.
On the men's side, the Chants' Braydon Bennett picked up first-team 2021 All-Sun Belt honors with a first-place finish in the 110m hurdles with a PR of 13.77 (2.5w), while Tyler Graves garnered second-team 2022 All-Sun Belt honors during the outdoor season. Reggie Barlow, Ty Floyd, DeVonte Harris, Jeremiah Talbert, and Garrett Wilkins all earned third-team all-conference recognition.
During the 2022 indoor season, Jefferson was named the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track & Field Performer of the Year as she raced her way to a pair of conference championships in the 60-meter and 200-meter dash events, while Arnold won the 400-meters for the second consecutive year.
In 2021, Arnold picked up 2021 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Freshman, 2021 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year, and All-Sun Belt first-team honors, as she was the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Track & Field Champion in the 400-meters. She did this just one year after Jefferson won both the 2020 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year and 2020 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year awards.
Before joining the Coastal Carolina staff, Goodman spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons with his alma mater UT Arlington working as a graduate assistant coach directly under associate head coach Jordan Durham and assistant coach Tyrone Edgar. Goodman helped guide the Mavericks to a 2019 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Championship and coached the 4x100m and the 4x400m relay teams to berths into the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In 2019, the Mavs' 4x100m relay squad broke the school record with a time of 39.23 which had stood since 2014.
As a collegian, Goodman spent his last three seasons at UTA, and in 2017, the former Maverick helped lead his 4x400m relay team to a spot in the 2017 NCAA Track & Field Championships. Additionally, the native of Wendover, England, was a three-time Sun Belt Championship finalist in the 400m and ultimately, helped the 2017 Mavericks to indoor and outdoor league titles, as the program capped off its second-ever league "triple crown."
Goodman spent his first two seasons with Division II Mount Olive. The former Trojan sprinter completed his career as an All-American in the distance medley relay and finished in the top 10 all-time in two outside track events and one indoor event. Goodman helped Mount Olive to two triple crowns in two years. In 2014, Goodman set the school's all-time mark in the indoor 400m with a time of 49.42.
"Karl has had a successful coaching career at Coastal Carolina, particularly in the sprints and hurdles events," said Watts. "It's impressive that he has developed several Division 1 NCAA All Americans in a short period of time. Melissa Jefferson's achievements, including winning the NCAA Indoor 60 meter championship and the U.S National championship in the 100 meters, highlight Karl's ability to mentor and train talented athletes. Her gold medal as part of the USA's 4x100 team is a testament to Karl's coaching prowess.
"Karl is known for his compassion and care for his student athletes. Building strong relationships and providing support to athletes can contribute significantly to their success and personal growth. With Karl's track record and dedication, he will be a valuable addition to the coaching staff at the University of Southern California. We welcome his family, wife Kayla and their 10-year-old daughter Layla."
Goodman has spent the past five seasons at Coastal Carolina, being named an assistant coach in 2019 and then being promoted to associate head coach on July 1, 2022. He worked primarily with the sprinters and hurdlers groups.
"It is an honor to join such a prestigious program at USC," said Goodman. "I am grateful to Coach Watts and his staff for welcoming my family to USC. I would like to thank my wife, family, the staff and athletes at Coastal Carolina and UT-Arlington, especially Coach Sandy, Coach Connie, Coach Sauerhage, Coach Edgar, Coach Rich and President Benson for believing in me and pushing me to be a better coach and person. I cannot wait to give my all for USC and continue to help young men and women better themselves as people. Fight On!"
Goodman helped the Chanticleers reach new heights, both in the Sun Belt Conference and nationally, particularly in the sprints and hurdles areas. He coached seven men and 11 women to all-time Coastal Carolina times in the sprints and hurdles in his five seasons.
In 2023, Alexis Glasco earned first-team All-America honors in the 100m hurdles, placing sixth at the NCAA Championships with a time of 12.74w. At the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds, he guided Glasco to a Coastal Carolina school record of 12.67 (+1.9) in the 100m hurdles. He also guided Kayla Sweeney to regionals in the 100m and 200m, reaching the NCAA quarterfinals in the 200m. Also, hurdler Sydney Clemens reached the NCAA quarterfinals in the 100m hurdles. Goodman also coached Braydon Bennett to the East Prelims in the 110m hurdles.
Goodman coached two Sun Belt Conference Women's Outdoor Track Athletes of the Year (2021 and 2022), the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Women's Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year, and the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Women's Outdoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year, as well as the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Track Performer of the Year, two Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Track Newcomers of the Year (2020 and 2021), and two Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Freshman of the Year (2020 and 2021).
Under his leadership, the Chanticleers' sprinters, hurdlers, and relay groups have earned a total of 13 All-America honors, including a program-record of 11 All-American accolades during the 2022 outdoor season. He was key in coaching Melissa Jefferson who was the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track & Field champion in the 60m dash. Jefferson also became a 2022 U.S. National Champion with a first-place finish in the 100m at the 2022 Toyota USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and a 2022 World Champion gold medalist as part of Team USA's winning 4x100m relay team at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
Goodman also helped guide Mekenze Kelley to a first-place finish in the 400m at the 2022 USA U20 Championships to become a national champion and qualify for the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships where she took ninth place. She also won a gold medal as part of Team USA's 4x400m relay team.
On the men's side, the Chants' Braydon Bennett picked up first-team 2021 All-Sun Belt honors with a first-place finish in the 110m hurdles with a PR of 13.77 (2.5w), while Tyler Graves garnered second-team 2022 All-Sun Belt honors during the outdoor season. Reggie Barlow, Ty Floyd, DeVonte Harris, Jeremiah Talbert, and Garrett Wilkins all earned third-team all-conference recognition.
During the 2022 indoor season, Jefferson was named the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track & Field Performer of the Year as she raced her way to a pair of conference championships in the 60-meter and 200-meter dash events, while Arnold won the 400-meters for the second consecutive year.
In 2021, Arnold picked up 2021 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Freshman, 2021 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year, and All-Sun Belt first-team honors, as she was the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Track & Field Champion in the 400-meters. She did this just one year after Jefferson won both the 2020 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Newcomer of the Year and 2020 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year awards.
Before joining the Coastal Carolina staff, Goodman spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons with his alma mater UT Arlington working as a graduate assistant coach directly under associate head coach Jordan Durham and assistant coach Tyrone Edgar. Goodman helped guide the Mavericks to a 2019 Sun Belt Indoor Track & Field Championship and coached the 4x100m and the 4x400m relay teams to berths into the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In 2019, the Mavs' 4x100m relay squad broke the school record with a time of 39.23 which had stood since 2014.
As a collegian, Goodman spent his last three seasons at UTA, and in 2017, the former Maverick helped lead his 4x400m relay team to a spot in the 2017 NCAA Track & Field Championships. Additionally, the native of Wendover, England, was a three-time Sun Belt Championship finalist in the 400m and ultimately, helped the 2017 Mavericks to indoor and outdoor league titles, as the program capped off its second-ever league "triple crown."
Goodman spent his first two seasons with Division II Mount Olive. The former Trojan sprinter completed his career as an All-American in the distance medley relay and finished in the top 10 all-time in two outside track events and one indoor event. Goodman helped Mount Olive to two triple crowns in two years. In 2014, Goodman set the school's all-time mark in the indoor 400m with a time of 49.42.
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