U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Air Force track and field head coach Ralph Lindeman will head Team USA at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships beginning March 1 in Birmingham, UK.
He’ll be assisted by assistant coaches Darryl Woodson, Norman Tate, Teddy Mitchell, and head manager Clif McKenzie.
Lindeman’s excited at the prospect of bringing back “lessons learned” from Team USA to the Academy.
“Things like how the best athletes in the world practice and train under their personal coaches, how they prepare mentally for competition, [and] the importance they put on nutrition and rest,” he said.
Lindeman is in his 29th season as the Academy’s head track and field coach. He’s guided Air Force to its seventh Mountain West title since 2012; earned his 16th conference coach of the year award; and served on Team USA at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and at the 2007 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Osaka, Japan. He’s also been on national coaching staffs for the World University Games; the Pan American Games; the U.S. Olympic Festival; and the World Junior Championships.
“I really believe my selection is a reflection of what my peers believe is the quality of leadership I can provide for the team and staff, and the reputation our Air Force teams have for a culture of commitment and a climate of respect, not to mention a tradition of championships,” he said.
The four-day IAAF World Indoor Championships will be held at Arena Birmingham and broadcast via NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold.