Former Assistant Named New Cross Country, Track and Field Head Coach
ROCKLIN, Calif. – Brian Priddin returns to the William Jessup University campus – this time as a head coach. Priddin has been named head coach of both the cross country and track and field programs at William Jessup.
Priddin previously served as a William Jessup assistant coach in cross country, helping lead both the men’s and women’s teams to the California Pacific Conference Championships in 2006.
“We are very excited to have Coach Priddin back at William Jessup,” said Farnum Smith, the University’s athletic director. “He brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to our already successful cross country team and he’s a great choice to head up our new track and field program.”
A former Loomis resident who now lives in Rocklin, Priddin is excited about establishing the track program and continuing the cross country success William Jessup enjoyed under former head coach Nick Vogt.
“This is like coming home again. There is something special about William Jessup, it’s a true community,” Priddin said. “I hope the runners at WJU will continue with the success that the program has grown to expect. I want them to improve as runners, but also to have a positive impact in the local community through outreach opportunities. I look forward to bringing what I’ve learned in working with elite athletes to William Jessup University.”
Priddin is currently serving as head coach of the USA National Triathlon team, which is involved in the World Cup event in Eilat, Israel. “It’s an honor to represent the USA at the World Cup and to work with such gifted athletes. I feel extremely honored and truly blessed with this selection,” Priddin said.
The versatile Priddin holds coaching certifications from the US Olympic Committee in swimming, cycling, track and field and triathlon. Earlier this year he served as the assistant coach for the USA World Cup Triathlete team that competed in Ishigaki, Japan. He spent 5½ weeks at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, working with the National team on a daily basis this past summer.
Priddin has helped put on over 30 triathlons in the Sacramento area and through a ministry founded “Team in Faith.” He has taught swimming classes at Sun City Lincoln Hills and is making plans to start a youth triathlon team (ages 5-23) at William Jessup for the entire Sacramento area that will feature an elite level group.
Priddin received both his undergraduate degree and Masters of Business Administration degree at San Francisco State. An El Dorado High School graduate, he attended Sacramento State for two years where he played one season of baseball. He is currently taking classes toward a Masters in Divinity from Trinity Bible and Seminary in Indiana.
He has spoken at numerous athletic clinics and camps, published articles on youth triathlon training, and is currently working on a book focusing on triathlon training for kids.
For more information, call (916) 577-2361
