STORRS, Conn.- UConn Director and Head Coach of Cross Country and Track & Field, Beth Alford-Sullivan, has announced the addition of Darryl Sullivan to the coaching staff, pending the successful completion of the university employee onboarding process. Coach Sullivan will join the Huskies as the team's new assistant coach, coaching the jumping events during the track and field seasons. 

Coach Sullivan has been a Track and Field/Sports Performance Coach for D1 Training in Fayetteville, Ark, while also training as a professional athlete with Trackwired Elite Club from 2021-2024.

Coach Sullivan comes to the Huskies after a very decorated athletic career. In 2021, Sullivan qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the men's high jump for Team USA. Sullivan's lifetime-best mark of 2.33 meters earned him second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Coach Sullivan became the first University of Tennessee track & field athlete to qualify for the Olympics in the high jump, holding the all-time school record in the event with the mark of 2.33m.  Sullivan also was a member of USA Track and Field for the Indoor World Championships in 2022.

During his time as a Volunteer, Sullivan was a four-time USTFCCCA All-American selection, selected to the first team in the 2017, 2019, and 2020 seasons, finishing as NCAA Runner up in 2019.  Sullivan was also named to the 2019 and 2021 Outdoor All-SEC Team, earning the bronze and silver medals respectively in the high jump.

Sullivan was named SEC Men's Field Athlete of the Week, and USTFCCCA National Athlete of the week on 1/21/20 after jumping 2.33m at the Virginia Tech Invitational, tying the all-time SEC record mark, and no. 4 mark in NCAA history. 

A native of Marion, Illinois, Sullivan won the long jump and high jump competitions at the IHSA State Finals before his time at Tennessee.  Sullivan still holds the class 2A State Finals Meet record in the high jump at 7' 1.5''. 

Coach Sullivan earned his undergraduate B.S. in Recreation & Sports Management in May of 2020, and his graduate M.A. in Leadership, Education and Communication in June 2021. Both degrees earned from the University of Tennessee.

Quote from Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Beth Alford-Sullivan:

I am excited to have Coach Darryl Sullivan joining this UConn Staff.  I have known Darryl since he was in high school and have had the honor to have him on my former team.  I believe he is one of the best young jumps coaches in the country, with high character and a dedicated work ethic.   Darryl will work hard to continue the winning traditions of our Jumps squads and the overall programs goals of winning championships.   Darryl is a team player and will bring positive energy, innovative training techniques and the championship mindset for our team members. 

Quote from Coach Darryl Sullivan:

First, I would like to thank Coach Sullivan & her staff for allowing me to join the winning tradition their team has established.  I also want to express my sincere thanks to Cat Zuppani & leadership for the opportunity as well.

I am thrilled to begin my coaching career amongst great leadership at UConn & am driven by the opportunity to aid in development of team growth & success. Go Huskies!!!