Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs add Riccio and Newell to coaching staff
9/10/2019 11:26:00 AM | Track & Field
Drake fills throws and sprints/hurdles coaching positions.
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State head track & field coach Jason Drake announced the hiring of Joe Riccio and Gary Newell as assistant coaches on Monday. Riccio comes to Fresno State after five seasons as the throws coach at Grand Canyon while Newell joins the Bulldogs after two seasons as the sprints/hurdles/relays coach at San Francisco.
Riccio enjoyed a successful five years in Phoenix in which he guided his athletes to 15 Western Athletic Conference individual championships. Numerous athletes of his have qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary Round after contributing significant points to the team during conference championships.
"We are thrilled to add Joe as our new throws coach here at Fresno State," Drake said. "Joe's enthusiasm and energy come through the minute you meet him. He is a talented coach and has been extremely successful in his time at Grand Canyon leading the throwers. I anticipate we will see great things from him and his athletes."Â
During his time at GCU, Riccio helped develop Tarasue Barnett into one of the top discus throwers in the country. In 2016, the Jamaican thrower was named West Region Athlete of the Year before competing in the Rio Olympics later that summer. The three-time WAC champion and record holder in the discus (61.66m) also competed for Jamaica at the 2017 IAAF London World Championships.
In 2018, Riccio also guided then-sophomore Jesse Newman (javelin) to his first of two WAC championships and an appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships where he earned All-America honors with a ninth-place finish.
As a student-athlete, Riccio competed for one season at Arizona State and Wyoming after earning multiple NJCAA All-America honors and a national championship in the hammer throw at Mesa Community College. He was a point scorer at the conference championships for both the Sun Devils and Cowboys and was a regional qualifier in the hammer and shot put during his final collegiate season while at ASU.
Following a two-year stint as a volunteer assistant coach at Texas Tech where worked with 18 NCAA qualifiers, Newell moved to San Francisco to help build the Dons' sprints and hurdles groups. In two seasons he has brought depth to the groups which have already broken school records in the 60 meters, 400 meters and 4x400 relay.
"I'm excited to have Gary join the staff here at Fresno State," Drake said. "During the search process his name kept coming up. Gary's experience at both San Francisco and in West Texas will be extremely valuable to our program. He is a tireless recruiter, has worked with one of the best track programs in the country at Texas Tech, and has a solid foundation of knowledge. I am confident that he will have an immediate impact on our team."
While with the Red Raiders, Newell worked primarily with the sprint and hurdle athletes. Texas Tech brought in the Big 12's top sprint recruiting class during Newell's time, and ninth in the NCAA. During his second season, TTU had 10 All-Americans which included a fifth-place finish from its men's 4x400 relay team.
Newell began his coaching career as an undergraduate student at West Texas A&M. In four seasons he helped the Buffs capture 22 NCAA DII qualifying spots with nine of those earning All-America honors. Newell's athletes captured 10 Lone Star Conference individual championships while hurdler Cameron Lacour was selected as the league's Outdoor Track & Field Track Athlete of the Year in 2013.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Riccio enjoyed a successful five years in Phoenix in which he guided his athletes to 15 Western Athletic Conference individual championships. Numerous athletes of his have qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary Round after contributing significant points to the team during conference championships.
"We are thrilled to add Joe as our new throws coach here at Fresno State," Drake said. "Joe's enthusiasm and energy come through the minute you meet him. He is a talented coach and has been extremely successful in his time at Grand Canyon leading the throwers. I anticipate we will see great things from him and his athletes."Â
During his time at GCU, Riccio helped develop Tarasue Barnett into one of the top discus throwers in the country. In 2016, the Jamaican thrower was named West Region Athlete of the Year before competing in the Rio Olympics later that summer. The three-time WAC champion and record holder in the discus (61.66m) also competed for Jamaica at the 2017 IAAF London World Championships.
In 2018, Riccio also guided then-sophomore Jesse Newman (javelin) to his first of two WAC championships and an appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships where he earned All-America honors with a ninth-place finish.
As a student-athlete, Riccio competed for one season at Arizona State and Wyoming after earning multiple NJCAA All-America honors and a national championship in the hammer throw at Mesa Community College. He was a point scorer at the conference championships for both the Sun Devils and Cowboys and was a regional qualifier in the hammer and shot put during his final collegiate season while at ASU.
Following a two-year stint as a volunteer assistant coach at Texas Tech where worked with 18 NCAA qualifiers, Newell moved to San Francisco to help build the Dons' sprints and hurdles groups. In two seasons he has brought depth to the groups which have already broken school records in the 60 meters, 400 meters and 4x400 relay.
"I'm excited to have Gary join the staff here at Fresno State," Drake said. "During the search process his name kept coming up. Gary's experience at both San Francisco and in West Texas will be extremely valuable to our program. He is a tireless recruiter, has worked with one of the best track programs in the country at Texas Tech, and has a solid foundation of knowledge. I am confident that he will have an immediate impact on our team."
While with the Red Raiders, Newell worked primarily with the sprint and hurdle athletes. Texas Tech brought in the Big 12's top sprint recruiting class during Newell's time, and ninth in the NCAA. During his second season, TTU had 10 All-Americans which included a fifth-place finish from its men's 4x400 relay team.
Newell began his coaching career as an undergraduate student at West Texas A&M. In four seasons he helped the Buffs capture 22 NCAA DII qualifying spots with nine of those earning All-America honors. Newell's athletes captured 10 Lone Star Conference individual championships while hurdler Cameron Lacour was selected as the league's Outdoor Track & Field Track Athlete of the Year in 2013.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
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