Keith Baker returns for his third season with the Samford throwers, after joining the Bulldogs' staff prior to the 2011 season.
In his first year at Samford, Baker oversaw a talented group, including NCAA qualifier Thomas Oliver in the javelin. Three of his athletes on the women's side also set new school records. His athletes continued to excel in his second season as well. Emily Allen earned conference titles in the indoor triple jump and outdoor hammer throw, setting school records in both. Kyle Kirby set a new SoCon meet record with a win in the indoor weight throw, while Thomas Oliver defended his 2011 javelin crown with a win in 2012. Oliver and Allen also qualified for the NCAA East Regional during the 2012 outdoor season.
Prior to Samford, Baker spent three years at UC-Santa Barbara as an assistant, working with the men's and women's throwers, high jumpers and pole vaulters.
An experienced decathlete, he also helped develop the school's multi-events program. Among the accomplishments of Baker's athletes set school records in the men's pole vault, women's high jump, women's shot put, women's discus and men's shot put.
Twenty-four of his athletes posted top 10 marks in the school's record books, 13 were regional qualifiers and two were national qualifiers. Among the accomplishments of Baker's athletes at UC-Santa Barbara are a school record from Scott Anderson in the shot put at 59'4.25". Anderson captured the 2009 Big West Championship with that performance.
In his first season at UC-Santa Barbara, Baker coached high jumpers Jane Doolittle and Christina Nowak to personal bests and their first appearances at the NCAA Regionals. At the 2010 NCAA Championships, Doolittle finished fourth and earned All-American status.
A collegiate athlete for the Alabama Crimson Tide during 2003-06, Baker became the school record-holder in the indoor heptathlon with a personal best of 5,332. A national qualifier, Baker still sits third on the University of Alabama outdoor list in the decathlon with a best of 7,315. He was a two-time medalist in the SEC.
Upon graduation, Baker stayed with the team as a graduate assistant coach, working closely with Rod Tiffin during the 2006-07 season. Before competing for the Crimson Tide, Baker was a junior college All-American and team captain at Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore. In addition to track, Baker also played basketball for the Titans.
Baker graduated from Alabama in 2006 with a B.S. in human environmental studies and a minor in business management.
