SAN JOSE, Calif. - Charmaine Darden is joining San José State as the program's head cross country and assistant track & field coach, director of track & field and cross country Charles Ryan announced on Tuesday.
Darden arrives at SJSU after spending the last two seasons as the associate head cross country coach and track & field distances coach at Oklahoma.
"I am really excited to land Charmaine on our staff," says Ryan. "She is exactly what the program needs right now - a gifted, organized, detail-oriented coach who does a fantastic job at talent development. She will be a refreshing new start for our distance program and I look forward to what we will build together here at SJSU. I have to thank our administrative team, Director of Athletics Jeff Konya, Eileen Daley and Mary Quintanar who have all been incredible in helping me navigate this process in a swift and professional manner."
Prior to arriving in Norman, Darden spent five seasons on staff at Southern University.
While at Southern, she served as the head men's and women's cross country coach and assistant track and field coach. Darden coached student-athletes to five program records while also helping guide her athletes to over 70 top-8 finishes at the SWAC Championships.
In addition, over 13 Jaguars were named to the SWAC All-Academic Team with Darden on staff.
"I would like to thank Jeff Konya and Charles Ryan for giving me the opportunity to coach at San José State. With the history of Spartan track & field and Speed City being revived just a few years ago, I am truly honored to be chosen to Coach Ryan's staff as he leads the rebuilding of this program."
Darden got her start in coaching at the collegiate level at Neumann University from 2012 to 2014, serving as the men's and women's head cross country and track & field coach.
A 2007 graduate of Hampton University, Darden received her bachelor's degree in sports management. She would then go on to earn her master's degree in public administration with a graduate certification in sports management and athletics from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2012.
Darden has received two USA Track and Field Level II certifications in Endurance and Sprints, Hurdles and Relays. In 2014, she became a USTFCCCA certified Jump and Strength and Conditioning coach.
