Aldrich Named USA Track and Field Throws Coach for 2020 Tokyo Olympics

(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.) – Gary Aldrich, head coach of the Carnegie Mellon University track and field teams, has been named to the U.S.A. men's coaching staff as the Throws Coach for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This marks Aldrich's seventh coaching stint on the international stage.

"It's hard to find the words when you are selected for such an incredible opportunity. Growing up I always had a dream of being in the Olympics," said Aldrich. "Every four years from 1968 I would watch and imagine what it must be like to be at the world's greatest sporting event. That dream has become a reality! I am honored to be the USA's Men's Throws Coach for the world's best track and field team. I can't wait to share this experience with my family, friends and CMU community."

This past July, Aldrich served on the U.S.A. coaching staff as the Throws Coach for the 2019 NACAC (North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association) Under 23 Championships. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Throws Coach for the 2017 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in London, England.

In March of 2016, Aldrich coached the throwers at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, before being named the men's throws coach for the World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon. In July 2012, he was the throws coach for the United States at the World Junior Track and Field Championships in Barcelona, Spain, and was also the assistant throws coach for the NACAC U23 Team in the summer of 2010.

"Gary has been a mainstay on the national team coaching staff for many years, and we couldn't be more excited for him to have the opportunity to coach the country's best athletes at the Olympic Games," said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "Regardless of the level, Gary puts everything he has into teaching, coaching and mentoring athletes. The Olympians are fortunate to have a coach like Gary helping them reach for their dreams."

Aldrich, who is in his sixth year at the helm of the Carnegie Mellon Men's and Women's Track and Field program, has been honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on nine occasions including three times as the Mideast Regional Indoor Men's Head Coach of the Year and once as Mideast Regional Outdoor Men's Head Coach of the Year. The season will mark his 14th on the Tartan staff, as he served eight seasons as the associate head coach.

During Aldrich's time at Carnegie Mellon, he has mentored five athletes to 11 All-America honors and the men's program has won six University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships while it has finished second 11 times. Most recently, the 2019 team won the UAA Indoor Championship leading to another coaching staff of the year award while placing second at the outdoor championships. In total, Aldrich has been part of six UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors including his time as an associate head coach.