July 15, 2008

Mantooth Hired as Assistant Track & Field Coach

     PITTSBURG -- Pittsburg State University head track & field coach Russ Jewett announced today (July 15) that Brian Mantooth has been hired as an assistant track & field coach for the Gorillas.
    Mantooth joins the Pitt State staff full-time after serving as a part-time coach for the Gorillas the past seven years. The Caney, Kan., native first served as a student assistant coach in 2001, after enjoying a two-year collegiate career at Pitt State from 1999-2000. He was a three-time All-MIAA performer in the throwing disciplines during his collegiate days, capturing MIAA titles in the hammer throw and the weight throw on Pitt State’s 2000 MIAA Championship squad.
    “We are excited and fortunate to have Brian join our coaching staff full-time,” Jewett said. “He has done a great job for us over the past few years coaching the discus and hammer throwers. He will take on duties of coaching the javelin and shot put and will become more heavily involved in recruiting and in other aspects of our program.
    “Brian knows a great deal about technique and training for the throws, and his coaching ability is proven. He has coached numerous All-MIAA and All-America athletes here as a part-time coach. Now that he will be devoting a great deal more time to coaching, and knowing his competitive nature, I have no doubt that he will help us to develop our throwers to new levels of success and to help us to compete more strongly for MIAA team titles.”
    Mantooth came to PSU from Coffeyville Community College, where he established the school record in the hammer and weight throw for the Ravens. He earned a bachelor’s degree in wood technology from Pittsburg State University in 2001.
    Brian is married to the former Megan Synder, also an All-MIAA track & field athlete for the Gorillas. The couple have an infant son, Logan, who turns two in September.