Coaching Staff

Head Coach Hayden Smith

Hayden Smith, a 1970 graduate who has spent much of the past three decades working with high school and community college runners in the Tucson area in southern Arizona, returned to south central Michigan to serve in a dual role as head coach for both cross country and women's track.

In his days as an Albion track performer under then-coach Dean Dooley, Smith excelled in a number of events. He held the record in the long jump at 23 feet for several years, had a top clearance of 6-feet, 5-inches in the high jump, and ran the 100 and 220 (yard) dashes. Among his teammates was current Albion College men's track coach Dave Egnatuk.

After graduation, Smith moved into teaching and coaching in Arizona, serving as cross country coach at Flowing Wells High School in the Tucson area for 26 years and track coach for 22. After moving out of the high school coaching scene, he continued to work in both sports as a cross country and track coach at Pima Community College in Tucson for one year.

Not only has Smith moved from performing to coaching, he's also made the transition from sprints to long distance. Smith has participated in more than 65 marathons to date.

Assistant Coach Willie Lewis

A 1996 graduate of Albion, Willie Lewis is in his second year of coaching the women's track and field team.

Lewis also serves as an assistant to the Albion College cross country teams. 

In addition to his work at the college, Lewis teaches in the Albion Public School system.

Updated August 25, 2004 by Albion College Sports Information