Dec. 12, 2008
SAN DIEGO - Rahn Sheffield, who has been associated with the San Diego State cross country and track and field program in each of the last four decades, announced his retirement today as head coach, a position he has held since 1991. Sheffield will continue to serve as a consultant to the program.
Named the fourth head coach in program history in 1991, Sheffield took the Aztec track and field squad to previously unattained heights. Under his direction, 78 student-athletes qualified for NCAA championships, 29 participated in the Olympic Trials, 19 earned All-America status, four participated in the Olympics and three won NCAA individual championships. He was a three-time conference coach of the year and was the architect of one of the biggest upsets in Mountain West Conference history when he guided San Diego State to the 2003 Mountain West Conference outdoor title, snapping Brigham Young's nation's best streak of 21 straight championships.
Recently, SDSU has had some of its finest seasons in program history as it finished in the top 10 at the NCAA West Regionals and was the top scoring non-Pac-10 Conference school in each of the past two seasons. Additionally, Sheffield helped a school-record 16 athletes qualify for the regional meet in 2007 and guided 15 in 2006 and 2008. At the national level, San Diego State recorded two of its top performances since the 2005 season when it finished in a tie for 46th place at the 2007 NCAA Championships and followed it with a 31st-place tie at the 2008 national outdoor meet.
"I have no doubt that I was born to be an Aztec," Sheffield said. "During my time as a San Diego State student-athlete, assistant coach and head coach, I have tried to remain constant in producing some of the finest student-athletes who have graduated and are making a positive impact in the community. I wish continued success to SDSU and all current and future Aztecs."
Sheffield's legacy in the track and field community reached well outside the San Diego State community. In addition to coaching his sister, American record holder, LaTanya Sheffield, Olympian and world record holder Marla Runyan, two-time All-American and two-time World Championships participant Miesha McKelvy, he also is credited with developing the rotation hurdling technique, recognized by the ODC (Olympic Development Committee).
Sheffield was a two-time All-American at San Diego State and earned his degree from the University in 1980. He returned to the school as an assistant coach in 1984, and he remained in that capacity until being promoted to head coach.
A national search for the next head coach will begin immediately. In the meantime, assistant coaches Jennifer Nanista and Mike LoBue will continue to oversee the team's workouts and preparation for the opening of the indoor season next month. The two have been supervising the team's activities since Sheffield took a leave of absence from the program back in September.