The track and field star put the program in a much better place over decades
Tom Tellez, a legendary figure in track and field, made significant contributions to the sport during his tenure as head coach at the University of Houston from 1976 to 1998. A member of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame , Tellez was instrumental in shaping the landscape of track and field at both collegiate and international levels.
Tellez’s legacy at Houston includes founding the university’s women's track and field program, demonstrating his commitment to expanding opportunities in the sport. Over his 22-year career as head coach, Tellez built the Houston track and field team into a powerhouse, producing numerous elite athletes who would go on to achieve remarkable success on the world stage.
Among the most notable athletes coached by Tellez were Olympic medalists Carl Lewis, Joe DeLoach, Kirk Baptiste, Frank Rutherford, and Leroy Burrell. Carl Lewis, perhaps the most famous of Tellez’s protégés, became a nine-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Joe DeLoach won gold in the 200 meters at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, famously defeating Lewis in the final.
Tellez’s impact on the sport extended far beyond the athletes he coached; his emphasis on innovative training techniques and his dedication to athlete development left his mark on the world of track and field, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest coaches.
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