ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Cody Knight as its new head track & field coach, for men and women. Knight brings seven years of NCAA Division I experience to the War Hawks' prominent NCAA III program.

Knight is just the third head coach since the sport was reintroduced to the campus in 1999.
 
"We are extremely fortunate to be able to attract a head coach the caliber of Coach Knight to McMurry," McM Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson said. "He impressed us with his training philosophy, but more importantly we were assured that he would create an experience for our scholar-athletes that is rooted in academic excellence and personal development. Coach Knight is committed to Developing Champions for Life and a great fit for McMurry University."
 
On staff at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi from 2012-18, he began as a volunteer coach in 2012 and was hired on staff later that same year. Knight served as the Islanders' interim head coach in 2017 and was then elevated to the program's 1st Assistant position. During his long tenure, Knight has a wide variety of specialty experience, including sprints, middle distance, distance and jumps. He also has extensive background in meet management, working with alumni and recruiting.
 
While at TAMUCC, Knight-coached athletes produced some impressive numbers. Among those accomplishments were: 14 Texas A&M-CC and two Missouri Valley College school records; a total of 136 Islanders recorded top-10 performers; 7 Southland Conference event champions were crowned (including one Southland Conference "Freshman of the Year"); 10 NCAA I West Region championship qualifiers, and; 23 All-Southland Conference performers.
 
Knight began his coaching career as an assistant for both cross country and track & field at his alma mater, Missouri Valley College (2007-11).
 
Knight holds United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) certifications in track & field coaching, strength and conditioning, and meet management. He holds USA Track & Field Level 1 Coaching Certification, as well as Officials Certification.
 
"I am honored for the opportunity to coach and lead McMurry's track & field program," Knight said. "This is a program that has had a lot of success in the conference and on the national level, as well. Our goals will be to not only build on such tradition, but to also continue developing skills that our scholar-athletes will carry with them as they become champions for life. I am sincerely grateful to Sam Ferguson for the opportunity to coach here at McMurry. I not only look forward to working with Sam, but am equally excited to work alongside many of the great leaders in the athletics department.
 
"I also want to thank everyone involved in the hiring process and for sharing so much about the values and vision here. In fact, during my visit I quickly realized how closely McMurry's values align with my own, which really makes me feel at home. Additionally, Sam's vision and respect throughout campus was easily identifiable, and it represents everything a coach would want from an athletics director.
 
"I would be remiss if I did not thank many of those who made this opportunity possible. Most importantly, my wife Stephanie, who is an incredible teammate in life and her support constantly amazes me. Additionally, I want to thank all the coaches who have mentored and instilled their philosophies and leadership in me. I also want to thank A&M Corpus Christi for an amazing seven years there. In particular, I'd like to thank the student-athletes for allowing me to have such a special role in their lives."
 
Knight is a native of Lebanon, Missouri. Knight graduated from Missouri Valley College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in health and fitness/sports management. He and his wife Stephanie have one son (Kayson).
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT CODY KNIGHT:
 
"The hiring of Coach Knight is a home run by Sam Ferguson and the McMurry administration. He is a strong, intentionally-Christian man who will do a fantastic job of guiding the War Hawks back to the level of Division III success we are all accustomed to seeing. His focus on teaching and a team-centered approach will provide a great atmosphere for every track and field student-athlete that calls McMurry home. I got to know him during his successful stint at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. I have always been impressed by his patience, professionalism, and big picture mentality. He knows how important it is for student-athletes to have a balanced, well-rounded experience in college and he'll make that a high priority for the McMurry student-athletes.
 
"He had a tremendous amount of success guiding the jumpers and sprinters while at Corpus Christi. He did a fantastic job not only with the high-level conference champions and regional qualifiers, but also with the developmental athletes who needed a little extra attention to get to the next level. He's equally adept at coaching accomplished athletes as he is in taking athletes who have not reached their peak and getting them to the next level. Great job McMurry Track and Field! Coach Knight will do a great job for this storied track program!"
Dr. Derek Riedel, Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach
University of the Incarnate Word
McMurry University alumnus (Cl. 2002)
 

"We are excited to have Cody Knight join the McMurry family. We look forward to his leadership in continuing the national excellence of McMurry's track and field programs."
Dr. Sandra Harper, President
McMurry University
 

"Cody did an outstanding job for us at TAMU-Corpus Christi.  If my own child was doing college track, Cody is the coach I would want for him.  He is technically sound in the sport and more importantly he treats people with respect and empathy."
Shawn Flanagan, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field (retired),
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
 

"Cody was my coach for four years and has impacted my life way beyond the track and field world. His influence guided me to new heights I never dreamed of academically, athletically, and as a person. It was an honor to have him as a coach and now as a friend for life."
Will Maraggia, former athlete under Coach Knight,
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
 

"Having worked with Coach Knight, I know that he works well with other coaches and has a special gift for motivating his athletes. McMurry University will be proud to have him representing it. I am now a McMurry University Track & Field fan!"
Dana LeDuc, former head strength and conditioning coach,
St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, University of Miami and University of Texas-Austin