Began at Auburn: February 2019
Randy Gillon has been hired as an assistant coach for the Auburn track and field program, head coach Ralph Spry announced Wednesday. A 15-year coaching veteran, Gillon most recently spent four years at the University of Illinois, three of which serving as associate head coach of the women’s track and field program. At Auburn, Gillon will be responsible for coaching the women’s sprints and both men’s and women’s hurdlers.
A former Illinois hurdler, Gillon also spent time coaching at Michigan State (2006-13) and Illinois State (2001-02). Gillon got his coaching start at his alma mater in 2000-01 as a volunteer coach.
“It’s a great honor to be part of a program at Auburn that has tremendous legacy and success that speaks for itself,” Gillon said. “I’m very appreciative for the opportunity to join the staff and look forward to contributing to the future successes of the program. Auburn track and field has been and will continue to be successful under Coach Spry’s leadership and I can’t wait to help to build on the successes he’s achieved.”
During his career, he has coached six All-Americans, 11 NCAA Championship qualifiers, 40 NCAA Prelims participant and 18 school record holders. Gillon revitalized the Illinois women's hurdle group highlighted by two-time All-American and 2016 Summer Olympic game finalist Pedrya Seymour.
“We’re very excited to have Randy joining the program,” Spry said. “He’s a proven winner and great recruiter that brings a lot of experience to the table. He’s had tremendous success at Illinois and Michigan State coaching several All-Americans including one Olympic finalist. I couldn’t be happier to have Randy joining the Auburn track and field staff.”
In 2016, Gillon guided hurdler Seymour to one of the most successful hurdle seasons in Illinois history. Indoors, Seymour clocked the fifth-fastest time in Illinois history, placed third at Big Ten Championships and 11th at Indoor World Championships. The success continued outdoors where Seymour competed in the 100m hurdles for the first time in her career. Gillon assisted Seymour in dropping 0.64 seconds off her time on her way to a First Team All-American honor and the second-best time in Illinois history. Seymour went on to compete at the Rio Olympic Games, placing sixth in the 100m hurdles.
In 2017, Gillon again guided Seymour back to NCAA Championships, taking bronze at the national indoor meet to earn her third All-America honor. Seymour and Jayla Stewart also advanced to NCAA Prelims during the outdoor season.
During his eight-year stint at Michigan State, Gillon served as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s track & field teams. He coached nine NCAA Championship qualifiers, 30 NCAA Regional qualifiers and helped Spartan sprinters and hurdlers set 18 new school records.
Prior to his time at Michigan State, Gillon served as an assistant coach at Illinois State for two years. His coaching resume also includes one year as a volunteer assistant with the Illini women’s track & field team.
A former Illini runner himself, Gillon was a three-time letterman for the Orange and Blue. When he graduated, Gillon held the eighth-fastest time in the 110m hurdles.
Gillon graduated from Illinois in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. In 2002, he earned his master’s degree in Biomechanics from Illinois.
Randy is married to former Illini track and field standout Nicole Whitman, who holds the school record in the triple jump. She was an All-American and Big Ten champ in the event in 2002 and also garnered All-American status in the 400-meter relay. Randy and Nicole have been married since 2008 and have two daughters, Nia and Imani, and a son Elijah.