BREAKING: Congratulations to Coach Cliff Felkins, who has been named the USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year—a well-earned honor recognizing his relentless dedication, transformative leadership, and profound impact on collegiate track and field.
When greatness meets consistency, accolades follow—and in the ever-competitive world of collegiate athletics, few recognitions carry as much weight as those bestowed by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). For Coach Cliff Felkins, the honor of being named the Mountain Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year is not just a personal triumph; it’s a celebration of tireless work, visionary mentorship, and a commitment to developing athletes who excel both on and off the field. In a region loaded with top-tier programs and elite coaching talent, Felkins stood out for his unmatched ability to elevate performance and cultivate a culture of excellence. His recognition is not just deserved—it’s overdue.
Over the course of the season, Coach Felkins distinguished himself as the driving force behind one of the most successful women’s throwing squads in the nation. From shot put to discus, hammer to weight throw, the improvements across the board were anything but incremental—they were meteoric. In the Mountain Region, known for producing national champions and Olympic-level talent, Felkins’ group didn’t just keep pace—they led. His athletes not only met expectations but often exceeded them, setting personal bests, breaking school records, and establishing themselves as threats on both regional and national stages.
What sets Coach Felkins apart isn’t just his technical acumen—though his mastery of biomechanics, training cycles, and event-specific strategy is beyond dispute—it’s the rapport he builds with his athletes and his ability to instill belief. Athletes under his guidance don’t just throw farther; they think bigger, train smarter, and compete harder. He understands the nuances of each individual—when to push, when to pull back, when to motivate, and when to simply listen. That emotional intelligence, paired with his tactical brilliance, is the formula that has turned talented prospects into podium regulars.
This season, his impact was evident across multiple event groups. Whether it was mentoring a young thrower to a conference title, preparing a veteran for the rigors of nationals, or simply creating a training environment where excellence became the norm, Felkins’ fingerprints were everywhere. Under his guidance, personal records fell with regularity, and what had once been individual aspirations transformed into collective dominance. It’s no coincidence that his athletes rose to prominence in one of the most grueling and competitive regions in the country. He didn’t just help them find their form—he helped them find their edge.
Recognition from the USTFCCCA is particularly meaningful because it comes from one’s peers—other coaches who understand the long hours, the early mornings, the recruiting battles, and the emotional rollercoaster of a full season. To stand out among such company is a remarkable feat. The Mountain Region includes powerhouse programs with deep histories and elite-level facilities, but in the eyes of the association, it was Coach Felkins’ work that merited distinction. That says everything about his reputation in the sport and the respect he commands across the collegiate coaching landscape.
But this award is more than a testament to results—it’s a reflection of a legacy that continues to grow. Felkins has long been regarded as one of the top throws coaches in the nation, and this recognition simply reaffirms what athletes, colleagues, and competitors have known for years. His name is synonymous with integrity, passion, and an unrelenting drive for improvement. Whether working with a freshman adjusting to collegiate life or a seasoned athlete eyeing All-American status, Felkins brings the same intensity and attention to detail to every session. That consistency breeds confidence and, ultimately, success.
Behind every great coach is a philosophy—a set of beliefs and principles that guide every decision, every training block, every technical adjustment. For Coach Felkins, that philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: that every athlete has untapped potential, and it’s the coach’s job to help unlock it. He treats each training session not as a task to complete, but as an opportunity to learn and grow. His athletes know that when they step into the ring, they are not just performing a physical act—they are executing a plan honed through repetition, feedback, and trust. That mindset has not only elevated performances—it has transformed careers.
It’s easy to focus solely on the hardware—the medals, the trophies, the All-American honors—but perhaps Felkins’ most enduring impact can be seen in the people his athletes become. Time and again, former competitors speak of the lessons they carried from the ring into life: the value of discipline, the importance of preparation, the resilience to overcome setbacks. In an era where the pressure to win can often overshadow personal development, Felkins has struck a rare balance. He develops champions not just in sport, but in character.
There’s also the matter of recruitment. In today’s landscape, attracting top-tier talent is a battle in itself, and Coach Felkins has proven to be one of the most persuasive voices in the sport. Recruits don’t just see a coach—they see a mentor, a technician, a leader who can guide them to their best selves. His program’s reputation for nurturing growth and producing results makes it a destination for elite throwers across the country. That pipeline is no accident—it’s the result of years of building trust, showing up, and delivering when it counts.
As we look ahead to the future, one thing is clear: this award will not be a resting point—it will be fuel. For Coach Cliff Felkins, recognition is nice, but the work is far from done. Championships are won in the margins—in the offseason lifts, the quiet technical sessions, the hours spent reviewing film and analyzing tendencies. And that’s where Felkins thrives. He isn’t chasing awards—he’s chasing excellence. And while this particular accolade serves as a milestone, it’s far from the final destination. The next generation of athletes is already in motion, and if history is any guide, they’re in very good hands.
This moment also resonates beyond the confines of one coaching staff or program. It’s a reminder of the profound influence assistant coaches have in shaping not just the outcomes of competitions, but the lives of the athletes they mentor. In a profession that often shines the spotlight on head coaches, awards like this provide much-needed recognition for the assistant coaches who are the heartbeat of every successful team. They are the ones in the trenches—scouting talent, designing drills, managing recovery, delivering feedback, and doing the little things that add up to big results. Coach Felkins embodies that role to perfection.
For those who know him, this honor is deeply personal. It’s a validation of years of relentless commitment, of choosing the hard path, of prioritizing long-term development over short-term gains. It’s for the athletes he believed in when no one else did, for the countless practices that ended in breakthrough moments, and for the quiet leadership that so often goes unnoticed. Coach Cliff Felkins didn’t just earn this award—he lived it, every day, with every rep, every cue, and every word of encouragement.
In the world of collegiate track and field, success can often be measured in seconds, centimeters, and placements. But sometimes, success looks like this: a coach who invests everything into his craft, who builds a legacy one athlete at a time, and who earns the admiration of his peers not just for what he accomplishes, but for how he does it. That is the story of Coach Cliff Felkins. And this award, though a singular moment, is a reflection of a career built on excellence, humility, and heart.
So, congratulations once again to Coach Cliff Felkins—the 2025 USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Your work has inspired, your leadership has elevated, and your impact is indelible. The sport is better because of you, and your athletes are living proof of what’s possible when elite coaching meets unwavering belief. The award may have your name on it, but its meaning belongs to everyone who’s ever had the privilege to train under your guidance. Here’s to many more milestones—and the continued rise of a coach whose best work is still to come.
