February 8, 2016

Stepp named new Carson-Newman cross country head coach

Carson-Newman Athletic Director Allen Morgan announced the hiring of former collegiate All-American track and field star, and Jefferson County native, Tyler Stepp to be the Eagles’s new head cross country coach Monday afternoon.

Tyler Stepp Introductory Press Conference

Tyler Stepp Introducoty Press Conference Written Transcript

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn—Carson-Newman Athletic Director Allen Morgan announced the hiring of former collegiate All-American track and field star, and Jefferson County native, Tyler Stepp to be the Eagles's new head cross country coach Monday afternoon.

"It is always an exciting day when you are welcoming a new member into the Eagle family," Allen said. "When we look for a coach to step into this family, we look for a number of things. Character, people who want and are excited to be here, people with a great work ethic and people who can dream the big dreams are just a few of these traits. The greatest coach who we found for this position was right here in Jefferson City, Tenn."

Prior to accepting the head coaching position for C-N's cross country program, Stepp held the position of assistant coach on David Needs's track and field staff each of the past two seasons for the Eagles.

"It means the world to me to finally make this official and to really create a future for me here at Carson-Newman," Stepp said. "That was really one of the things I'd hoped for when I first got here as a graduate assistant was to have a future here. I didn't realize how much I wanted it until I got here and really enjoyed these athletes like I have."

The Talbott, Tenn. native sports an impressive resume following his competition at the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University in track and field programs.

While competing athletically, Stepp garnered second-team All-American honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Associations in the long jump following his junior and senior seasons at ETSU. Carson-Newman's new coach won three Atlantic Sun Conference titles in the event as well and qualified for the United States Track and Field Championships in 2013.

Prior to graduating ETSU with a bachelor's of science degree, Stepp earned USTFCCCA academic All-American honors for his classroom performance during his junior and senior campaigns. He was also named to the ASC All-Academic team for three-straight years as a Buccaneer.

Stepp's high school accomplishments still rank as one of the best all-time for the state of Tennessee and Jefferson County High School as a Patriot from 2006-2009.

A 12-time Inner Mountain Athletic Conference champion, eight-time All-Region selection and a six-time All-State qualifier highlight a historic career at JCHS. Stepp's accomplishments stem from the field events of long, high and triple jumps.

Following his junior and senior seasons at Jefferson County, Stepp was named an All-American in the high jump and was an AAU outdoor high jump national champion his sophomore season. Stepp's high jump mark ranked as Tennessee's best in each of his last three seasons as a Patriot.

Stepp continues to hold an IMAC record in the triple jump after leaping 43'5" in the event during his senior campaign.

Though Stepp has no prior cross country coaching experience, the new head man has little doubt that he will have trouble adjusting to the new roll.

"For me, it's been about building relationships so far," Stepp said. "You really just have to learn the person you are coaching, no matter what event it is or what discipline it is. You have to learn the person and what they need and that will give you a good indication on how to train them."

Carson-Newman, whose women finished fourth and men 10^th in the South Atlantic Conference Meet to conclude the 2015 season, return a major crop of athletes for Stepp to utilize during his debut season next fall. The recently named coach looks to continue to work with the team by trying to get the most out of the athletes every day.

"We have a lot of talent coming back. Obviously, I think that with anything you have, you can always make it better," Stepp said. "That's for each individual athlete and that's also for the whole team as well. We will go out and get some kids who can complement the ones we have now and will come back just as reloaded for next season."

Stepp, who did not attend Carson-Newman for undergraduate studies, embraces the idea of coaching in his home town and school that has welcomed a number of family members, including two-time All-American brother Tanner Stepp.

"I am a Jefferson County product. I was born and raised here," Stepp said. "Most of my family came through Carson-Newman on their way to getting a bachelor's degree and that was something that I didn't do. I never really had that experience and that connection with Carson-Newman like the rest of my family had. When I had the opportunity to come here, it meant a lot to me and now given the next step in the process as an Eagle, it's just outstanding."

Stepp will continue to serve as an assistant coach for C-N's track and field team before ramping up for his debut season as the Eagles' new cross country coach in August.