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A promising young track and field coach is leaving Arizona and heading to the college level.
Sharod Selph, the head coach at Goodyear Desert Edge, has accepted a position with Utah Tech University, where he will coach the sprints and relay teams. Selph originally had planned to return to his alma mater, Oklahoma State, before reversing course.
“I’m very excited,” Selph told The Republic. “I hate to leave Arizona, but it’s only about six hours away, so it’s not too bad.”
During his time with Desert Edge, Selph helped coach some of the state’s top sprinters and relay teams. It all culminated at the 2024 AIA State Track and Field Championships, when Desert Edge placed first and second in the boys 100 meters with David Cabrera and Jamar Beal-Goines, respectively. That same year, the 4x100-meter relay team ran 40.99 seconds — No. 10 all-time in state history.
“It’s the relationships built there,” Selph said about his time at Desert Edge. “I was there for five years. I got to see a full class come in and out. Built relationships with their parents, family members, coming to meets every weekend. That’s the hardest part leaving the team. Most memorable moment is definitely going 1 and 2 at the Open, with David and Jamar.”
It will be the first year of Utah Tech's men’s track and field program, which is set to join the Big Sky Conference in 2026-27.
In St. George, Selph hopes to replicate the success he found in Goodyear.
“Same thing as Desert Edge, help build the culture,” Selph said. “I’m not going to be the head coach anymore, so I’m not going to have all that responsibility. I’m going to have a few sprinters to start with. I’m going to try to build the program to be known for sprints. Try to develop some kids into making regionals, nationals. That’s my goal.”
At Utah Tech, Selph will be working under head coach Josh Thompson, with whom he already has a connection. The two were teammates at Oklahoma State, winning a Big 12 indoor championship together in 2016. Thompson, a distance runner, also has ties to Arizona, having spent two years at Central Arizona College.
Selph wants to leverage his time in Arizona when recruiting the state.
“I’m for sure going to use my connections to help build the program,” Selph said. “There’s a lot of Arizona kids that have a lot of potential. I think I’ll be able to recruit some really good kids to come in there.”
There are two local preps who have already signed with Utah Tech, with Gilbert Highland distance runner Camryn Delancey and ALA Queen Creek sprinter Beckham Goodman.
This past season, Goodman ran 21.12 in the 200 meters, which ranks No. 8 all-time in Arizona. Once Goodman returns from a two-year missionary trip, Selph is looking forward to coaching him.
“That kid has a lot of talent,” Selph said. “He shocked everyone. I can’t wait to work with a kid like him.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Desert Edge track and field coach headed to college level | Exclusive
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Sharod Selph, the head coach at Goodyear Desert Edge, has accepted a position with Utah Tech University, where he will coach the sprints and relay teams. Selph originally had planned to return to his alma mater, Oklahoma State, before reversing course.
“I’m very excited,” Selph told The Republic. “I hate to leave Arizona, but it’s only about six hours away, so it’s not too bad.”
During his time with Desert Edge, Selph helped coach some of the state’s top sprinters and relay teams. It all culminated at the 2024 AIA State Track and Field Championships, when Desert Edge placed first and second in the boys 100 meters with David Cabrera and Jamar Beal-Goines, respectively. That same year, the 4x100-meter relay team ran 40.99 seconds — No. 10 all-time in state history.
“It’s the relationships built there,” Selph said about his time at Desert Edge. “I was there for five years. I got to see a full class come in and out. Built relationships with their parents, family members, coming to meets every weekend. That’s the hardest part leaving the team. Most memorable moment is definitely going 1 and 2 at the Open, with David and Jamar.”
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It will be the first year of Utah Tech's men’s track and field program, which is set to join the Big Sky Conference in 2026-27.
In St. George, Selph hopes to replicate the success he found in Goodyear.
“Same thing as Desert Edge, help build the culture,” Selph said. “I’m not going to be the head coach anymore, so I’m not going to have all that responsibility. I’m going to have a few sprinters to start with. I’m going to try to build the program to be known for sprints. Try to develop some kids into making regionals, nationals. That’s my goal.”
At Utah Tech, Selph will be working under head coach Josh Thompson, with whom he already has a connection. The two were teammates at Oklahoma State, winning a Big 12 indoor championship together in 2016. Thompson, a distance runner, also has ties to Arizona, having spent two years at Central Arizona College.
Selph wants to leverage his time in Arizona when recruiting the state.
“I’m for sure going to use my connections to help build the program,” Selph said. “There’s a lot of Arizona kids that have a lot of potential. I think I’ll be able to recruit some really good kids to come in there.”
There are two local preps who have already signed with Utah Tech, with Gilbert Highland distance runner Camryn Delancey and ALA Queen Creek sprinter Beckham Goodman.
This past season, Goodman ran 21.12 in the 200 meters, which ranks No. 8 all-time in Arizona. Once Goodman returns from a two-year missionary trip, Selph is looking forward to coaching him.
“That kid has a lot of talent,” Selph said. “He shocked everyone. I can’t wait to work with a kid like him.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Desert Edge track and field coach headed to college level | Exclusive
Continue reading...
