By: Nolan Alexander and Hunter McKay
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Director of Athletics Milton Overton and Cale McDaniel, Director of Track and Field and Cross Country, have reached a contract extension that keeps McDaniel in Kennesaw through 2027.
"Coach McDaniel has taken our track and field program to the highest stages with national champions and All-Americans," said Overton. "I am excited to see his leadership continue with our student-athletes into Conference USA."
Since McDaniel took over in 2018, the program has met remarkable milestones. Daniel Haugh became KSU's first national champion in the Division I era in 2019 and finished 11th in the hammer throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Haugh won the hammer throw at the 2022 USATF Outdoor Championships and finished sixth in the 2023 World Championships. Recently, Isaiah Rogers won the 2023 national championship in the weight throw.
The women's program won the 2021 ASUN Conference Indoor Championship and the 2022 ASUN Conference Outdoor Championship with McDaniel taking home Coach of the Year honors.
KSU has produced 19 All-Americans in the nine NCAA Track and Field Championships that have been contested since 2019.
"Grateful is the word that comes to mind. I am grateful for a family and wife that support me, a fantastic coaching and support staff and student-athletes that by into our vision every day. We are all very proud about what has been accomplished here. Our focus on bringing more recognition and success back to the Nest has never been stronger," said McDaniel "I cannot thank AD Overton, Ms. Tamica Smith Jones, and Travis Glasgow enough for the unwavering support of our track and field and cross country programs. I am proud and humbled to be the leader of this program and I am looking forward to the continued success here at KSU! THINKBIGGER!"
Academics have also strengthened under McDaniel's leadership. For three consecutive years, an Owl has earned a reputable postseason accolade: Sarah Hendrick garnered 2023 CSC First Team All-Academic honors, Katie Meyer took home the 2022 ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for outdoor track, and Lindsay Billings was named ASUN Indoor and Outdoor Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2021.
Since 2019, the Owls have landed on the ASUN Cross Country and Track and Field All-Academic teams 42 times. His teams have earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors nine times and USTFCCCA Track and Field All-Academic individual honors 28 times. All four of the cross country and track and field programs have recorded their best semesters in the classroom in the McDaniel era.
"Coach McDaniel exemplifies dedication, expertise, and a winning spirit," said track and field program administrator Travis Glasgow. "Extending Coach McDaniel's contract reflects KSU Athletics commitment to fostering excellence in track and field and cross country, ensuring continued success for our student-athletes."
The Owls have reached the podium at the ASUN Championships 367 times with 113 earning gold medals. McDaniel's Owls have set 61 school records and 16 ASUN Championship records since the beginning of the 2019 indoor season. In addition, the KSU men's track and field team was awarded the ASUN Beam Award in 2020 and Isaiah Rogers collected it in 2023.
KSU opens the indoor season Jan. 12 at the Clemson Invitational.
