Men's Track & Field

Texas A&M University-Commerce president Dr. Dan Jones and athletic director Carlton Cooper announced the hiring of Darren Schneider as the new head men’s track and field coach at A&M-Commerce on Oct. 7.

“I am very honored and excited to be here in front of you as the men’s track and field coach at Texas A&M University-Commerce,” said Schneider. “I look forward to taking this program to heights it hasn’t seen before.”

Schneider spent the past 10 years as the head men’s track and field coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He guided UW-Whitewater to 17 top-20 national meet finishes in indoor and outdoor competition, and led the Warhawks to their highest-ever indoor national finish with a second place performance in 2004.

During Schneider’s tenure at UW-Whitewater, 92 student-athletes earned All-American honors, including nine that claimed individual NCAA Division III national championships. He was also named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2007.

“Good programs are led by good leaders, and we feel that we found a great leader in Coach Schneider,” said Jones.

In addition to his success on the track and field, Schneider was instrumental in the development of the $15 million Kachel Fieldhouse that served as the 2004 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. 

Prior to UW-Whitewater, Schneider led the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1996-99. He also spent time with Truman State University and was an assistant coach at Oklahoma State University. Before entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Schneider coached at Knox County High School in Edina, Mo. and Lafayette High School in St. Louis, Mo. 

Schneider earned his bachelor’s degree from Truman State, and a master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy. He and his wife, Shella, have two children, Reed and Granton.

“It’s a great day for both Lion athletics and this university,” said Jones.