SURPRISE, Ariz. – Ottawa University Arizona director of athletics Kevin Steele announced that Kenny McDaniel has been hired as the new OUAZ head cross country and track & field coach. McDaniel previously served as the associate head coach for track & field at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
 
"It is with great pride that I welcome one of the finest track coaches in the country to the OUAZ Spirit family," said Steele. "Kenny McDaniel is a man whose work ethic and love for student-athletes' shines through from the first moment you meet him. Even more so is his desire to lead his programs from a Christian perspective which fits perfectly in our mission as a Christian University."
 
Steele continued, "Kenny has experienced great success as a coach at every stop he has made along his illustrious career path. The one thing you hear over and over is that Kenny is a man of integrity who coaches his student-athletes with great passion, care and high expectations. His work with students, coaches and other athletes away from the track as a mentor and friend are attributes that put him at the next level as leader. I am excited to work with such a dynamic Christian man as we continue to build an outstanding program."
 
Kenny McDaniel just completed his seventh year at Northern Arizona University. Since his arrival, McDaniel has coached his student-athletes to 32 gold medal performances. A collegiate athlete himself, McDaniel began his running career early on as a kid in Texas with his mom as a track & field coach. He then took his talents to Pittsburg State in Kansas, where he became an all-conference honoree. He has had previous stops on his coaching journey at Cal State Fullerton, San Francisco State and Arizona State. McDaniel has been training some of the best athletes from Arizona to California to Canada, as he looks to build his athletes into champions.
 
"First off, I would like to thank Director of Athletics Kevin Steele, Provost Dennis Tyner and President Kevin Eichner for this amazing opportunity," said Coach McDaniel. "One of the things that really drew me here is that at OUAZ, it's very important to do things right. To develop the student-athlete as a whole with Christ, and I think that is an honor."
 
McDaniel continued, "The commitment from the staff here in the athletic department, all the way from the president down, is really a key piece to what we do here at OUAZ. If I've ever done one thing right, it's that I've worked hard to help student-athletes develop, not only as athletes, but as students and as people. I will bring in student-athletes who are passionate about getting an education and being part of something brand new."
 
A native of Longview, Texas and graduate of Longview High School, McDaniel attained his USATF Level II Sprints and Hurdles certification in the summer of 2006.
 
Coach McDaniel had this to say about what it takes to be a successful coach, "With the generation now, I think the key is being consistent. I've started to realize that what today's student-athletes remember the most about their college experience is how they were treated. Being successful is all about how you communicate with the student-athletes and relate to them. That's really how you become successful as a coach. I'm really big on making sure a student-athlete has an awesome experience when they join my program."
 
The OUAZ outdoor track & field team returns to competition on Saturday March 17^th, when they travel down to Tucson to take part in the Willie Williams Invite; hosted by the University of Arizona.
   
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 4,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.