Aug. 6, 2010
Vice Chancellor David Williams has announced that three current Vanderbilt head coaches recently have signed new contracts. The three are women’s golf coach Greg Allen, bowling coach John Williamson and cross country coach Steven Keith.
“We are pleased that we are once again able to maintain continuity within our programs by retaining quality coaches,” Williams said. “Each of these coaches signed three-year agreements with a fourth year as an option. Each coach has his program on a strong upward trajectory.”
Allen is in his fourth year at Vanderbilt after serving as head coach at Arizona. Known as a top recruiter, Allen’s 2010 Commodore team jumped into national contention by finishing second at the Southeastern Conference Championship and seventh at the NCAA Tournament. His star sophomore, Marina Alex, was the SEC Player of the Year.
Williamson’s 2010 team was rated No. 1 in the nation much of the season, winning five of nine tournaments. In the process, Josie Earnest and Brittni Hamilton were both first-team All-Americans and Hamilton later became the United States Junior Amateur champion. Williamson’s 2007 team won the NCAA championship.
Keith, who joined the Vanderbilt staff in 2006 after serving as Alabama’s head coach, has been successful developing the women’s cross country team into an SEC contender. The 2009 Commodore women were sixth at the SEC Finals, their fifth best finish ever at this event. Keith’s men’s cross country squad had the best cumulative grade point of any cross country team in the nation, a 3.67.
