Hollins University

Keith Harris comes to Hollins in the spring of 2023 as the Assistant Track & Field Coach. Harris joins the HU staff after spending the past eight season as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for  sprints, relays and jumps for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Prior to his time with the Rams, Harris spent years at Huguenot High School and Deep Run High School in Richmond, Virginia. The USATF Level 1 Certified Coach will primarily deal with the sprints, hurdles, jumps and sprint relays here at Hollins.

In his first season with the Green and Gold, Coach Harris helped to oversee a spring outdoor season that would see eight, six individual and two relay, school records set or broken. 

During the 2022 season, Harris helped the Rams earn a fifth indoor title as Atlantic 10 Champions. Lauryn Taylor finish second 60m dash while Camron Brown finished second in men’s long jump at 7.11m. Gordon Smith finished third in the long jump 7.11m and Amari Jackson finished third 12.17m in women’s triple jump. The prior season Harris, his second stint with VCU Head Coach Jon Riley, helped the Rams capture another outdoor conference title. Keith helped long jumper Jessica Tucker place second at Atlantic 10 outdoor championships. Taylor won the 100m dash with a time of 11.73 and the 200m dash with a winning time of 23.84 at Atlantic 10 Championships. Aaliyah Newman finished second in the triple jump, Brown finished 3rd place in long jump with a jump of 23’4" and the Men’s 4x100m relay team won with a time of 40.58.
 
In 2016 Coach Keith Harris coached All American Thea Lafond from the University of Maryland to the 2016 Olympic for her country Dominica in Triple jump.
 
In 2014 –2015 Harris, in his fourth season as a Ram, assisted Head Coach Jon Riley working with the sprints, relays, hurdles, and jumps. Harris’ main responsibilities included being tasked with running individual practices. Harris assisted Riley with sprinter NCAA All-American Kiara Porter. Porter, an A10 standout qualified for the USATF Championships in the 400m dash. Porter was the outdoor A10 champion in the 200m, 400m and the school record holder in the 100m, 200m, and 400m. At the indoor A10 Championships Harris assisted Riley in coaching Porter to victories in the 60m, 200m, and 400m. In addition to Porter, Harris helped Alexis Stroman to capture the 60m hurdle title at the Indoor A10 Championships.
 
In 2013, in his third season, Harris assisted Riley in guiding Porter, a five time All American, to the 200m and 400m Indoor and Outdoor A10 titles. Harris also assisted Riley with jumper Carina Peter who finished as runner up in the long jump. 2010-2012 would see Harris assist Riley in setting school records in women's 4x100 and triple jump.
Between 2008-2010, Coach Harris also worked at Deep Run High School, specifically in charge of the jumping events. Harris guided Brianna Hudson to two state championship titles and two high school All-American awards in the Triple Jump. Harris also worked with Ashley Orr, who has the top ten jumps in Virginia High School League history. Harris guided the Wildcats to six regional titles, six district titles and one state runner-up.
 
While at Huguenot High School, Harris guided the Falcons to two regional titles, two district titles and one state runner-up coaching the jumps and relays. Harris also coached All-Americans Matu Bundy (triple jump) and Wanetta Kirby (long jump) at Huguenot High. Prior to his coaching experience, Harris was a jumper and short sprinter while attending John Tyler Community College. Harris was a member of the Track Club – Norfolk Real Deal where he was a 2007 USATF Championship qualifier in the long jump. His personal bests include: Long Jump – 25’0.25”, 60m – 6.86, 100 – 10.65.

Harris received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Southern New Hampshire University in the spring of 2023.