JONESBORO (6/24/10) - Arkansas State Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee announced Friday that Lon Badeaux has resigned as head track and field coach to take a similar position at Louisiana-Lafayette.
Badeaux just completed his fourth season at the helm of the Red Wolves' track and field and cross country programs, most recently leading the women's team to a runner-up finish and the men's squad to a third-place standing at the 2011 Sun Belt Conference outdoor championships.
A-State had six student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field West Regional this year, and pole vaulter Stephanie Foreman advanced to compete at the NCAA Championships before earning All-America status.
The New Iberia, La. native was also named the 2011 Sun Belt Conference Women's Indoor Coach of the Year after guiding the Red Wolves to a runner-up finish at the league's indoor championships as well.
"I have an opportunity to be closer to my family with this move, but first and foremost I'm excited that Dr. Lee gave me the chance to have my first job as a head coach," said Badeaux. "That is very special to me, and I'll always have a special place in my heart for the confidence he showed in me and my staff to lead the program in a very positive way.
"I'm proud of what we've accomplished at ASU," continued Badeaux. "I feel like the program is in very good standing, and I really believe they will have opportunities to win conference championships with the group of student-athletes that we brought in. I'd like to say thanks to the entire community for the support they've shown the track and field program, and that is very important to me."
Prior to his appointment as ASU's head track and field coach, Badeaux served as the Red Wolves' interim head coach and was an eight-year assistant with the program.
During his time as an assistant and head coach at ASU, Badeaux coached 69 Sun Belt Conference champions, 53 regional qualifiers, 19 national qualifiers, six All-Americans and one Olympian. He was named runner-up for the 2004 Mondo National Assistant Coach of the Year for jumps and multi-events by the USA Track and Field Coaches for Division I-A. He was also named to the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association National Committee for scheduling.
"We've been able to elevate our track and field program under Lon's leadership, and I appreciate his involvement and assistance throughout his tenure at Arkansas State," said Lee. "We certainly wish him and his family well in their transition to move closer to home."
Lee said Arkansas State will immediately begin a national search for a new track and field and cross country coach, adding "we will be looking to continue to build upon the strong history and tradition of the outstanding track and field programs that we have at Arkansas State University."
Lee also announced that Matt Kraft, an assistant coach with the program since 2007, has been named interim head coach until the search is completed.
