BIRMINGHAM | Rod Tiffin has been hired as head track and field/cross country coach at Samford University after serving as an assistant at Alabama for the past 11 years.

“I am really excited about the new opportunity to coach at Samford,” Tiffin said. “We really like the family aspect of the University and we think it’s a great fit for our family. I’m thrilled about the team. They are a young team and I’m excited about the new conference and ready to see the things we can do.”

As head track and field/cross country coach, Tiffin will oversee all aspects of both the track and field and cross country programs. He will be assisted by Chad James and Lauren Blankenship, mostly in cross country, and another assistant in track and field to be named at a later date.

“We’re very excited to have Rod lead our track and field programs,” said Bob Roller, Samford’s athletics director. “He brings a great deal of national and international experience to our program and has outstanding ties to the Alabama high schools and programs throughout the country. It’s a great fit for Samford and we look forward to the Tiffin family joining us.”

For the Crimson Tide, Tiffin’s primary responsibilities included the long, triple and high jumpers, multi-event athletes and the throwers.

Before his stint at Alabama, Tiffin coached the highly successful field event crew at Auburn University. While working with Alabama head coach Harvey Glance, Tiffin’s field event crew amassed 17 school records, 20 All-American honors, eight Southeastern Conference Championships, three NCAA titles, a gold medal at the World University Games, two Olympic team berths and two World Championship berths.