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Kevin Jermyn Named Head Coach of Duke Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
6/11/2024 3:00:00 PM | Cross Country, Track & Field
DURHAM – Duke Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Shawn Wilbourn announced Tuesday the hiring of Kevin Jermyn as the Head Men's & Women's Cross Country / Assistant Track & Field Coach (distance).
"I'm extremely excited to have Kevin join our staff as the men's and women's head cross country coach and coach the distance runners on the track," said Wilbourn. "Kevin was instrumental in putting Duke women's cross country and distance running on the map back in the early to mid-2000's, and after watching the success he has had at Elon, I felt he was the right person at the right time to lead our men's and women's distance runners. I can't wait for him to get started!"
Jermyn, who has 26 years of experience as a coach, returns to the Bull City following seven seasons at Elon where he served in a similar position. "I am grateful to Coach Wilbourn, Director of Athletics Nina King, and Deputy Director of Athletics Troy Austin for the opportunity to return to Duke University," said Jermyn. "To be clear, I regard Duke as the premiere university for elite student-athletes to pursue academics and athletics at the highest levels globally. I am excited to leverage my past experiences and skills to teach Duke runners how to compete for ACC and NCAA Championships, while also excelling academically."
During his time at Elon, Jermyn led the Phoenix to unprecedented heights on the cross country course as the women's team reeled in five consecutive Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) women's cross country team championships from 2019-2024. Individually, Maria Ahm became Elon's first woman to compete in the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2021. The Phoenix claimed four consecutive CAA cross country individual titles with wins by Coralea Geraniotis (2018), Scolasticah Kemei (2019) and Maria Ahm (2020 & 2021). The Elon men ran to school record team finishes in the NCAA Southeast Regional and produced five All-CAA honorees. On the track, Jermyn's women's middle and long distance runners led the Phoenix to four consecutive CAA track & field team championships. In the 2021 CAA Outdoor Championship, the Phoenix middle and long distance runners led the team to victory by scoring 112 of the team's overall 191.5 points.
Jermyn is no stranger to the Blue Devils, having served as the head women's cross country coach and associate head track and field coach from 2000 to 2014. He was awarded ACC Coach of the Year and NCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors for the 2004 and 2005 cross country seasons and was named NCAA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2011.
"Following a successful high school career, I was fortunate to have many offers to run for prestigious collegiate programs," said Kate Van Buskirk, a 2011 Duke graduate and 2020 Canadian Olympian. "I chose Duke chiefly because of Kevin Jermyn, and I would make that choice again, every time. Kevin has a unique talent for developing each individual athlete to their greatest potential, while simultaneously fostering a thriving team environment'
Jermyn helped the Blue Devils to a second and third place team finish at the NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2005, respectively, while also capturing the ACC and Southeast Region titles.
"Kevin was unwaveringly dedicated to my long-term health, happiness and success. He was constantly learning, as we were, to build an ever-growing tool kit from which to draw so that we could be best prepared in any race situation," Van Buskirk added. "I've drawn from that tool kit many times throughout my life outside of competition, as well. When I told Kevin in my freshman year that my dream was to one day become an Olympian, he responded 'let's make it happen'. He understood better than I could at that time that my collegiate experiences were critical to the athletic and personal development that would one day land me on an Olympic start line. Kevin instills in his athletes a patient and enduring pursuit of excellence. He is one of the most dedicated coaches I've ever had the pleasure of working with, and I would not be the athlete or the person I am without his tremendous influence."
Individually, Jermyn has coached 22 athletes to 53 NCAA All-America performances including Shannon Rowbury, who became Duke's first NCAA individual champion with her victory in the one-mile run at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships.
"I had the privilege of being a part of Kevin's first team at Duke. His attention to detail and commitment to developing athletes for the long term set me on my path to three Olympics," said Rowbury. "He had a clear plan for training, but also always took my feedback into account. I couldn't have asked for a better college coach, and I am thrilled that Kevin will be rejoining Duke to develop the next generation of talent."
Jermyn also guided Juliet Bottorff to the program's first NCAA individual outdoor title in the 10K during the 2011 season. "Working with Kevin at Duke led to some of my most cherished college memories and proudest accomplishments; of course, with my individual title in the NCAA Track 10k, but also with our cross country team contending with the best in the country for All-Americans and title dreams for several years," said Bottorff. "Kevin developed in us mental toughness, teamwork, work ethic, and confidence, and our team had so much fun doing it all. I am so excited to see him back at Duke and to cheer for the future distance runner Blue Devils competing for more titles for years to come!"
Prior to Duke, Jermyn competed professionally in cross country and track and field for the Reebok Enclave. As an undergraduate at Georgetown University, Jermyn led the Hoyas as team captain and earned All-America honors. Jermyn is a USATF Level III certified coach in endurance, Level II certified in sprints, relays and hurdles and earned his Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.). He has also served on three United States national team coaching staffs. He graduated from Georgetown University cum laude in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance and a minor in psychology. He later obtained a master's degree in liberal studies from Duke in 2006, where he completed his thesis on "Coaching Implications of Gender Differences Among Collegiate Runners."
To stay up to date with Blue Devils cross country and track & field, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeTFXC."
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
"I'm extremely excited to have Kevin join our staff as the men's and women's head cross country coach and coach the distance runners on the track," said Wilbourn. "Kevin was instrumental in putting Duke women's cross country and distance running on the map back in the early to mid-2000's, and after watching the success he has had at Elon, I felt he was the right person at the right time to lead our men's and women's distance runners. I can't wait for him to get started!"
Jermyn, who has 26 years of experience as a coach, returns to the Bull City following seven seasons at Elon where he served in a similar position. "I am grateful to Coach Wilbourn, Director of Athletics Nina King, and Deputy Director of Athletics Troy Austin for the opportunity to return to Duke University," said Jermyn. "To be clear, I regard Duke as the premiere university for elite student-athletes to pursue academics and athletics at the highest levels globally. I am excited to leverage my past experiences and skills to teach Duke runners how to compete for ACC and NCAA Championships, while also excelling academically."
During his time at Elon, Jermyn led the Phoenix to unprecedented heights on the cross country course as the women's team reeled in five consecutive Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) women's cross country team championships from 2019-2024. Individually, Maria Ahm became Elon's first woman to compete in the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2021. The Phoenix claimed four consecutive CAA cross country individual titles with wins by Coralea Geraniotis (2018), Scolasticah Kemei (2019) and Maria Ahm (2020 & 2021). The Elon men ran to school record team finishes in the NCAA Southeast Regional and produced five All-CAA honorees. On the track, Jermyn's women's middle and long distance runners led the Phoenix to four consecutive CAA track & field team championships. In the 2021 CAA Outdoor Championship, the Phoenix middle and long distance runners led the team to victory by scoring 112 of the team's overall 191.5 points.
Jermyn is no stranger to the Blue Devils, having served as the head women's cross country coach and associate head track and field coach from 2000 to 2014. He was awarded ACC Coach of the Year and NCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors for the 2004 and 2005 cross country seasons and was named NCAA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2011.
"Following a successful high school career, I was fortunate to have many offers to run for prestigious collegiate programs," said Kate Van Buskirk, a 2011 Duke graduate and 2020 Canadian Olympian. "I chose Duke chiefly because of Kevin Jermyn, and I would make that choice again, every time. Kevin has a unique talent for developing each individual athlete to their greatest potential, while simultaneously fostering a thriving team environment'
Jermyn helped the Blue Devils to a second and third place team finish at the NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2005, respectively, while also capturing the ACC and Southeast Region titles.
"Kevin was unwaveringly dedicated to my long-term health, happiness and success. He was constantly learning, as we were, to build an ever-growing tool kit from which to draw so that we could be best prepared in any race situation," Van Buskirk added. "I've drawn from that tool kit many times throughout my life outside of competition, as well. When I told Kevin in my freshman year that my dream was to one day become an Olympian, he responded 'let's make it happen'. He understood better than I could at that time that my collegiate experiences were critical to the athletic and personal development that would one day land me on an Olympic start line. Kevin instills in his athletes a patient and enduring pursuit of excellence. He is one of the most dedicated coaches I've ever had the pleasure of working with, and I would not be the athlete or the person I am without his tremendous influence."
Individually, Jermyn has coached 22 athletes to 53 NCAA All-America performances including Shannon Rowbury, who became Duke's first NCAA individual champion with her victory in the one-mile run at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships.
"I had the privilege of being a part of Kevin's first team at Duke. His attention to detail and commitment to developing athletes for the long term set me on my path to three Olympics," said Rowbury. "He had a clear plan for training, but also always took my feedback into account. I couldn't have asked for a better college coach, and I am thrilled that Kevin will be rejoining Duke to develop the next generation of talent."
Jermyn also guided Juliet Bottorff to the program's first NCAA individual outdoor title in the 10K during the 2011 season. "Working with Kevin at Duke led to some of my most cherished college memories and proudest accomplishments; of course, with my individual title in the NCAA Track 10k, but also with our cross country team contending with the best in the country for All-Americans and title dreams for several years," said Bottorff. "Kevin developed in us mental toughness, teamwork, work ethic, and confidence, and our team had so much fun doing it all. I am so excited to see him back at Duke and to cheer for the future distance runner Blue Devils competing for more titles for years to come!"
Prior to Duke, Jermyn competed professionally in cross country and track and field for the Reebok Enclave. As an undergraduate at Georgetown University, Jermyn led the Hoyas as team captain and earned All-America honors. Jermyn is a USATF Level III certified coach in endurance, Level II certified in sprints, relays and hurdles and earned his Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.). He has also served on three United States national team coaching staffs. He graduated from Georgetown University cum laude in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance and a minor in psychology. He later obtained a master's degree in liberal studies from Duke in 2006, where he completed his thesis on "Coaching Implications of Gender Differences Among Collegiate Runners."
To stay up to date with Blue Devils cross country and track & field, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeTFXC."
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
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