ARLINGTON, Va. – Marymount Athletics has announced the hiring of Kevin Niles as the new head cross country and track & field coach, bringing an extensive background in cross country and track and field coaching, athlete development, and program management to the Saints.

"I am incredibly honored and thrilled to be named the head cross country and track & field coach at Marymount University," Niles stated. "This program has an amazing foundation, and I cannot wait to look towards the future as we push our student-athletes to achieve greatness on the track and in the classroom."

Niles joins Marymount following his tenure as the head cross country and track & field coach at Rockford University, a position he has held since July 2024. In that role, he developed training programs focused on improving individual performance and team cohesion while overseeing recruitment, athlete assessments, and competition preparation. He also implemented injury prevention protocols, mentored assistant coaches, and organized team events and fundraising initiatives to support the program.

Prior to Rockford, Niles served as an assistant track and field and cross country coach at Edgewood College. His responsibilities included serving as the lead recruiter, women's trainer, and strength coach while working directly with distance and middle-distance runners on technique and endurance. During his time with the program, he helped guide athletes to personal bests, multiple school records, and individual victories. He also assisted with fundraising, volunteer activities, and injury rehabilitation through modified training programs.

Niles has additionally worked as a private coach in Dane County, Wisconsin, since March 2017, developing individualized training plans to help athletes achieve their goals while maintaining a healthy balance between athletics and other activities. Through his private coaching, he has worked with multiple state qualifiers, including a Wisconsin middle school champion in the 800 meters and runner-up in the 1,600 meters.

His coaching background also includes seven years at Waunakee Schools, where he served as an assistant track and field and cross country coach from August 2015 through August 2022. Niles assisted with the high school cross country program for three years and the middle school cross country and track and field programs for four years. During his tenure, he helped grow both the middle and high school teams by more than 50% and coached three individual state qualifiers and one team to the state cross country meet.

In the summer of 2022, Niles also worked with Waunakee's youth track program, planning workouts, coordinating summer meets, and supervising teen volunteers while working with athletes ages 7-12.

Niles earned a Bachelor of Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in May 2000, where he competed as a distance and middle-distance runner. He also pursued a master's degree in organizational leadership and change at Edgewood College.

He holds several professional coaching certifications, including the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Endurance Event Specialist and Jumping Event Specialist certifications, USA Track and Field Level 1 Track and Field Certification, USATF Cross Country Specialist Course and Road Runners Coaching Certification.

Coach Niles will begin his coaching duties at Marymount on Wednesday, November 4.