Will Blackburn has been named the University of Houston’s Director of Track and Field and Carl Lewis will serve as the program’s Head Coach, Houston Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman announced Thursday.  

"Will and Carl are both incredible representatives and products of the University of Houston, Houston Athletics and our track and field programs," Pezman said. "I am personally grateful for their leadership during this transitionary time. We are fortunate to have individuals of their caliber leading our program with Will doing so on the day-to-day side and Carl as head coach. They are two of the very best in the country.”

As the Director of Track and Field, Will Blackburn will oversee the program in its entirety while also continuing to coach the throwing events and horizontal jumps.  

“What an exciting opportunity to continue and build upon the success and achievements of the long-celebrated history of the University of Houston Track and Field program,” Blackburn said. “I would like to thank Chris Pezman, DeJuena Chizer, Lauren DuBois and Monty Porter for investing in the vision, energy and excitement that we will continue to bring to the Houston Track and Field program. I also want to thank my wife Geri and my family for all their support. What an opportunity to help lead this historic program.”

  Blackburn and Lewis will work congruently in their roles to carry on the legacy and history of the Houston Track and Field team. 

"I am excited to continue with this staff on our journey to win a national championship," Lewis said. "We wanted to continue the legacy of Leroy Burrell and Tom Tellez and agreed this was the way to do it. Will and I have known each other for multiple years and are looking forward to leading this team to all the things we want to do and keeping the history and tradition of #HTownSpeedCity alive." 

  Lewis came to Houston to run for Tellez in 1979 and competed for the Cougars until 1981. After winning the NCAA Championship title in both the long jump and 100-meters, Lewis made the transition to competing professionally. At the conclusion of his competitive career, Lewis' achievements were, and still are, unprecedented in track and field. He is one of two athletes to win nine Olympic gold medals and one of two to win four golds in the same event. He also holds the record for winning 10 medals at the World Outdoor Championships, including eight golds.

 Lewis joined the Houston Track and Field Coaching staff in 2013 as a volunteer coach for former head coach Leroy Burrell before being brought on full-time the following season. 

During his time as a coach for Houston, he has helped guide the program to 15 combined conference championships including the Houston Men's Track and Field team's third-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2019. Among the athletes he has coached, many have been Olympians, National Champions, All-Americans and Conference Champions.  

Blackburn has been with the Houston track and field team for 22 seasons and has spent time mentoring the throwers, triple jumpers and long jumpers.

After competing for Houston as a thrower, highlighted by a Conference USA championship, Blackburn started his coaching career in 2000 under Burrell. 

During his time at Houston, Blackburn has been a part of 42 conference championship teams while coaching 10 All-Americans and 45 individual conference champions.  

Born in El Paso, Texas, Blackburn graduated from Dayton High School before earning his bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Houston. He received a master's in Sports Administration and taught in the Health, Human Performance and Kinesiology Department at Houston.

Blackburn is married to his wife, Geri, and the couple have three kids Hudson, Haven and Hawke.