AUBURN, Ala. – Aaron Kindt, who has served as head cross country coach at Southern Miss for the last seven years has been hired in the same capacity at Auburn, head coach Ralph Spry announced Monday. Prior to his appointment at Auburn, he had been promoted to associate head coach for track and field at Southern Miss in July.
"We are excited to welcome Aaron to our track and field program," Spry said. "Aaron did a tremendous job developing the distance program at Southern Miss and taking it to new heights. He will do a great job with our talented distance group and is a great addition to our staff."
Under his direction, Kindt led the USM women's program to a pair of runner-up finishes at the Conference USA cross country championships in 2017 and 2019, while his distance program was instrumental in the program's first-ever Women's Indoor Conference USA Championship in 2020. The Golden Eagles' distance medley relay won the 2020 CUSA title, the first indoor distance conference championship in program history.
In seven seasons overseeing the women's distance program, between cross country and indoor and outdoor seasons, Kindt coached six first team all-conference performers along with 17 second team selections and 17 that were named to the third team. Academically, each of his cross country teams were USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recipients.
"I want to thank Coach Spry and Coach Richardson for the opportunity to join their staff at Auburn. I'm incredibly excited to get started. Auburn is a special place and a program with tremendous momentum moving into the future," Kindt said. "I am looking forward to doing my part, ensuring the distance program is in a position to contribute to championship teams.
This past season, Kindt led the team to another top three finish at the Conference USA Cross Country Championships, while indoors his group made four trips to the medals podium at the conference meet, collecting runner-up performances in the 3000m, 5000m and distance medley relay, while collecting the first Conference USA indoor title in program history.
"I'd also like to thank Southern Miss Coach Jon Stuart," Kindt said. "I learned so much from him during my time at Southern Miss. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity he gave me and the wonderful experience he provided at Southern Miss."
Prior to Southern Miss, Kindt served as assistant coach at the University of North Florida for two years. While at UNF, Kindt helped with the development of the women's A-Sun cross country runner up in 2012 and distance medley indoor relay champion in 2014 while assisting with the men's third-place finish at the 2013 A-Sun Indoor Track Championship.
Kindt began his career at the University of Florida, serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the cross country and track programs from 2010-12. Kindt assisted with the training and development of the distance athletes.
The Orlando, Fla., native graduated from the University of Florida in 2010 with a Bachelors of Arts in geography. Kindt was a four-year letter-winner with the cross country and track and field programs at Florida running a wide range of distance events, including the 10,000m, 5000m, 3000m and 1500m.
