Randy Overby was named the Director of Cross Country and Track & Field in September of 2014.
Coach Overby’s passion for the sport of track & field and cross country sets him apart from the masses. With more than 20 years’ experience as both a track and field coach and an athlete, he has a clear understanding of the needs and desires of his athletes. He has the capacity to see the “big picture”, which affords him the opportunity to coach to the level of the athlete and not the training model of “one plan fits most”. He achieves this by effectively communicating information with his athletes; and by fostering productive relationships that redefine winning in such a way that success is not only defined or measured by the podium. Coach Overby’s coaching philosophy has been developed to promote success that focuses on effort, learning and the development of the individual skills, team skills and most importantly life lessons.
Since Coach Overby’s hire he has electrified the program! With his high energy personality, bubbling big smile, and his passionate caring commitment to his student athletes, he has built a reputation for success in a short period of time. His student athletes have flourished under his tutelage. The men and women programs combined have broken 61 school records, have placed 101 individuals to the Knox College top ten all time performers, 1 indoor conference champion, 40 Mid-West All Conference selections, 4 USTFCCCA All Academic Teams, 55 Mid-West Conference Indoor Academic All-Conference selections and 58 Mid-West Conference Outdoor Academic All-Conference selections
Prior to taking over the helm at Knox College, Coach Overby was an assistant coach for both track and field and cross country at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. His primary responsibilities were coaching the short and long sprints and relays. In addition, he served as the Director and Head track and field coach and Physical Education Chair at Harvest Preparatory School in Canal Winchester, Ohio. Coach Overby’s two-year tenure as an assistant at Capital University was highlighted by 44 all-conference members 2 conference champions and 15 school records. Coach Overby has also had success at the Division 1 level as an assistant under legendary OSU Head and Olympic sprint coach Russ Rogers.
Coach Overby has also had success coaching individuals on the professional and international level. He has coached athletes that have been USA National Team medalists, Olympic gold medalists, and IAAF World Championships medalists.
Coach Overby as an athlete was an all-conference track performer in college and went on to qualify for the U.S. Indoor Championships, U.S. Outdoor Championships, and the U.S. Olympic trials. He also had spurts running on Team USA sponsored relays.
Coach Overby’s favorite saying is “Be patient, be in the present, and the present will take care of the future”. Coach Overby also stresses that his athletes remember it’s all about the process. “One Team One Dream”.
Coach Overby has earned five different track and field certifications, as well as specialist endorsements from the USA Track & Field and the USTFCCCA. He holds a Master’s degree in Sports Administration from Columbia Southern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from Park University.
