| Wes Kittley | |
| Current Title: | Head coach |
| Current Team: | Texas Tech |
| Current Conference: | Big 12 |
| Contract: | $265,000 |
| Birth Place: | Rule, Texas, U.S. |
| Player Years1: | Unknown |
| Player Team1: | Abilene Christian |
| Player Positions: | 800M |
| Coach Years1: | 1983–1993 |
| Coach Team1: | Abilene Christian (women's) |
| Coach Years2: | 1993–1999 |
| Coach Team2: | Abilene Christian (men's/women's) |
| Coach Years3: | 2000–present |
| Coach Team3: | Texas Tech |
| Admin Years1: | 1997-1999 |
| Admin Team1: | Abilene Christian (assoc. AD) |
| Championships: | 44 |
| Awards: | Men's Regional Coach of the Year (2015, 2017, 2018) Women's Regional Coach of the Year (2009, 2012) Big 12 Conference Men's Coach of the Year (2014) Lone Star Conference Hall of Fame |
Wes Kittley is the current head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders track and field team. He has produced several national champions and Olympians in Sally Kipyego and Kennedy Kithuka.
Kittley was the women's track and field head coach at Abilene Christian University (ACU) from 1985-99. In 1993, the Men's and Women's programs merged. While at ACU, Kittley won his first NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship at the Division II level in 1985. He would go on to win the Championship in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Kittley's teams would also win many NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships during his tenure in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Kittley's program won 29 national track and field championships, the most in Division I and II combined, and three short of the all-time record held by Jim Steen of Kenyon College.[1]
During his 15-year tenure at ACU, Kittley coached 12 Olympic qualifiers, 3 Pan-American Games athletes, five World University Games athletes, 16 athletes who qualified for the world championships, and one United States national champion.
In 2000, Kittley departed Abilene Christian to accept the head coaching job at Texas Tech University. In 2019, the Red Raiders won the Division I men's outdoor national championship; in 2024, Kittley lead the Red Raiders to their first indoor national championship. During his tenure, Kittley has produced many national champions:
| Athlete | Event | Season | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacorian Duffield | Men's High Jump | 2015 Outdoor | |
| Jacorian Duffield | Men's High Jump | 2015 Indoor | |
| Sally Kipyego | Cross Country | 2006 | |
| Sally Kipyego | Cross Country | 2007 | |
| Sally Kipyego | 3000M | 2007 Indoor | |
| Sally Kipyego | 5000M | 2007 Indoor | |
| Sally Kipyego | 10,000M | 2007 Outdoor | |
| Sally Kipyego | Cross Country | 2008 | |
| Sally Kipyego | 5000M | 2008 Indoor | |
| Sally Kipyego | 5000M | 2008 Outdoor | |
| Sally Kipyego | 5000M | 2009 Indoor | |
| D'Andra Carter | 2009 Outdoor | ||
| Bryce Lamb | 2013 Indoor | ||
| Kennedy Kithuka | 5000M | 2013 Indoor | |
| Kennedy Kithuka | Cross Country | 2012 | |
| Julian Wruck | Discus | 2011 Outdoor | |
| Jonathan Johnson | 800M | 2006 Outdoor |
In addition to national champions, Kittley is responsible for producing 205 All-Americans, and 111 Big 12 Conference champions. He guided Texas Tech to its first Big 12 team title in school history during the 2005 season. Kennedy Kithuka, one of Kittley's athletes, went undefeated during the 2012 season and was named the 2012 Male Athlete of the Year for Cross Country.[2] The men's team would win the Big 12 Conference again in 2014 on their home track. Kittley was named the Big 12 Conference Men's Coach of the Year for the team's performance.[3] The Red Raiders swept the Big 12 Championships in 2018, winning both the indoor and outdoor titles for the first time in program history.
Kittley was named the Women's Regional Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2012. He picked up the Men's Regional Coach of the Year award in 2015, 2017, and 2018. In 2006, he was also named to the Lone Star Conference's Hall of Honor.
Kittley's contract with Texas Tech received a 5-year extension in August 2014 to 2019 with a base salary of $265,000 increasing by $5,000 every year.[4]
Kittley was born in Rule, Texas and is married to Linda Rhoads. They have three sons including Zach, who serves as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas Tech university.[5]
Kittley is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, and a master's degree in school administration. He was a three-time NAIA All-American in the 800M while he attended.[6]