The Defiance College Yellow Jacket Cross Country Coaching Staff

Defiance College has announced the hiring of John Hartpence as the new head coach for the Yellow Jacket track and field and cross country programs. While Hartpence is set to take the reigns of the programs, former head coach, Matt Lydum, will remain on staff in an assistant coaching capacity.

“John is a perfect fit for the head cross country and track position here at Defiance College,” Athletic Director Dick Kaiser stated. “He has been extremely successful at Dickinson College as the head track coach, but was looking for an opportunity to be the head coach of track as well as cross country. We are happy that everything worked out and to have him join the DC family.”

In regards to the benefit of adding Hartpence to the programs while keeping Lydum on staff as well, Kaiser said, “Coach Hartpence and Coach Lydum will make a great combination in continuing the growth and development of the two programs. John has a keen interest in developing long distance runners, while Matt is very strong in the field events.”

Hartpence will come to Defiance after spending the past seven years as the head men’s and women’s track and field coach at Dickinson College. During his time there, Hartpence doubled the roster size and saw his women’s squad rack up six Centennial Conference Championships while coaching his men’s team to five runner-up team finishes at the conference meet.

Along with the team successes that Hartpence’s squads experienced, the Red Devils also piled up the individual honors, which totaled 65 individual conference championships and eight NCAA All-Americans. Hartpence was also voted as the USTFCCAA Mid-East Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year in both 2002 and 2003.

“Hiring Coach Hartpence puts us immediately in a stronger position to grow the program towards a championship caliber level,” Coach Lydum added. “His commitment to developing athletes and preparing runners to compete at championships is well known. This is an exciting step for Defiance College.”

Hartpence earned his undergraduate degree in physical education from Cortland College, before completing a master’s of science degree in health and human performance from the University of Montana in 1996. He is certified as a Level II Track and Field Coach for throwing and jumping events.

“The chance to help develop the Defiance College cross country and track and field programs is extremely appealing to me,” Hartpence said about the position at DC. “I feel strongly about the educational opportunities available at Defiance and feel the individual attention that can be offered to the student-athletes in the classroom and on the track is superior.”

In closing, Kaiser added, “John is a proven and very successful head coach. We are extremely excited to get someone of his experience and capabilities to join the coaching staff at DC. The expertise he will bring to our cross country and track program is really first rate.”

Contact Coach Hartpence at: jhartpence@defiance.edu or (419) 783-2385
John McColl enters his second season as Assistant Coach for the Jackets after a stellar career on the trails and track at DC. A three-time all-conference performer in cross country, McColl was named HCAC Freshman of the Year in both Track and Cross Country. He was named all-conference three times on the track by winning the 800 meters twice and helping the 1600 meter team win the 2003 HCAC title. McColl was named conference runner of the week six times and holds school records in the 3000, the 1500, the 1000, and the 800 meters.

The Stryker, Ohio native was named the Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year by Defiance College in 2005.