Loreal Smith Named Assistant Coach For USC's Track & Field Team

Trotter and Wilson to serve as volunteer assistant coaches


Aug 22, 2013

Loreal Smith has been named an assistant coach for the USC track and field program, announced Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert today (Aug. 22). Smith Gilbert also has retained Ryan Wilson as a volunteer hurdles coach and added Dee Dee Trotter as a volunteer assistant coach.

"It was important to me to round out a balanced staff for USC program and Loreal is a perfect complement for the staff we have in place," said Smith Gilbert. "Loreal brings with her excitement and positive energy to the program and is an up and coming coach with a bright future. She will assist in all areas of the program."

Smith has served the past seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Florida, following an outstanding hurdling career at North Carolina A&T. She reached the semifinals in the women's 100m HH at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. Smith was seventh at the 2009 NCAA Championships in the 100m HH and was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Woman of the Year that season for her excellence in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

Smith was an All-American hurdler and collected conference championship titles in the 60m hurdles (twice), 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles and as part of N.C. A&T's 4x100m relay team.

Smith was the only Lady Aggie ever to run the 100m hurdles in less than 13 seconds boasting a time of 12.97 at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Prior to graduation, the Sports Science and Fitness Management major received the A&T Scholar Athlete Award and was named to two consecutive Commissioner's All-Academic Teams (2008 and 2009). Smith graduated with a 3.33 GPA. Off the track, Smith volunteered for many non-profit organizations and schools and helped raise awareness for special causes such as Breast Cancer and AIDS.

"Dee Dee and Ryan have experience that is almost unmatched by any coach in the country," said Smith. "They have been at the highest level competitively and academically and have done it more than once. It says a lot about a person's character as coaches and athletes to be able to make more than one Olympic or World Championship team. This undoubtably is one of the best staffs in the country and we feel we have covered all avenues to make the experience special for the USC student-athletes."





Trotter is one of USA's top 400m runners, winning a bronze medal with a time of 49.72 at the 2012 London Olympics. She also has won Olympic gold twice as part of USA's 4x400m relay team (2004, 2012). Trotter won the USA Outdoor 400m title in 2007 and was the runner-up in 2005, 2006 and 2012.

Trotter ran collegiately at Tennessee where she was the NCAA 400m champion in 2004 and runner-up in 2003. She holds the Tennessee record with a time of 50.00.

Trotter is the founder of "Test Me I'm Clean," a charity that focuses on fighting the abuse of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. While at Tennessee she majored in criminal justice.

Wilson worked with the USC hurdlers last season and helped guide Reggie Wyatt to the NCAA title in the 400m IH. Wilson continues to compete at the highest level and 10 days ago won a silver medal in the 110m HH at the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Russia.

Wilson graduated as one of the most decorated hurdlers in USC history. He won the 2003 NCAA 110m HH title and was named the Pac-10 Track and Field Male Athlete of the Year.

Smith Gilbert previously announced the addition of assistant coaches David Freeman (Distances and Women's Cross Country Head Coach), Barry Shumpert (Jumps) and Quincy Watts (Sprints), as well as director of operations Mary Angell. Also remaining from the 2013 staff is throws coach Dan Lange.

USC Track & Field