LaRon Bennett Jr. came to Drake in October 2012 as the the assistant men's and women's track and field coach specializing in coaching hurdles and sprints. In August, 2016, he was named the interim co-head coach of the track and field programs.
Bennett, an elite hurdler himself, had an immediate impact on the team's hurdlers when senior Sarah Yeager claimed the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championship in the 60-meter hurdles in a personal best time.
Moving into the 2013 outdoor season, the four-some of Yeager, Destani Welch, Briana Isom-Brummer and Marissa Smith took second place at the Drake Relays in the university/college shuttle hurdle relay in a school record 55.07, which was more than four seconds faster than the previous record set in 2010. Yeager went on to win the MVC Outdoor Championship 100 meter hurdle crown in 13.44, breaking Smith's school record who placed third. Yeager would go on to compete in the U.S Indoor National Championship.
In 2014, he coached Kai Asberry to a fifth-place finish at the MVC Outdoor Championship and his ability to develop hurdlers really materialized in 2015 when the team's hurdlers collected five all-MVC honors. Mary Young finished second in the 60-meter hurdles indoors and the 100-meter hurdles outdoors while Asberry won the men's 400-meter hurdles with Hudson Priebe taking second at the MVC Championship. Virginia Hill finished second in the women's 400-meter hurdle as well. Earlier that season, Young set the school record in the 100-meter hurdles at 13.38.
The 2016 season saw more success from Bennett's pupils with Bas Van Leersum setting the indoor school record in the 400 meters and winning the 400-meter hurdles at the outdoor MVC Championship with Priebe taking third. Earlier that season, Young set the school record in the 100-meter hurdles at 13.38 befor finishing third at the MVC Outdoor Championship while Hill finished third in the women's 400-meter hurdles.
Bennett grew up in Brunswick, Ga., attending Glynn Academy High School before going on to the University of Georgia. He graduated in 2007 after an impressive athletic career and a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development.
While competing for the Bulldogs at Georgia, Bennett was a three-time All-American in the 400 meter hurdles (2003-2005) and team captain for one of the top squads in the country.
Bennett continued his success at the professional level competing in the Olympic Trials finals four times in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 with a semifinal appearance in 2012. He also finished sixth in the 400 hurdles at the USATF Championships in 2010.
In 2016 season, he finished fifth in the event at the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee.
While continuing his professional career, Bennett found a new love of in coaching the sport he enjoyed so much. He volunteered as a sprint and hurdles coach at Georgia, as well as at North Oconee High School, where he helped lead their teams to top state finishes in 2010.
Drake is no stranger to Bennett, who has competed at the Drake Relays seven times in his career including four with Georgia and three times as a professional.
Bennett prides himself on his involvement outside of the athletics realm. He is an active member of his church, becoming a Deacon in 2010 and worked with Win with Integrity, a group that speaks to young athletes to motivate and encourage them to make positive decisions in their developing career.
Bennett is a talented athlete who has spent his time balancing athletic excellence, community leadership, and a young family. He and his wife, Kali, have a young son, Malachi, and daughter, Naomi.
