Consistent program something to behold
Starting with ‘interim’ tag, Giles has learned plenty and become one of the MEAC’s most successful track coaches
When Kenneth Giles was named the interim men’s track and field coach at Norfolk State in 2003, it came under difficult circumstances.
His mentor and friend, Floyd Conley, died suddenly after complications from a heart attack. Giles, who was hired in 1999 on the same day as Conley, had served as head cross country coach and assistant track coach to Conley during that time.
“It was unfortunate that I got that position in that manner,” Giles said during the MEAC
Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday. “But I will say that he prepared me for it. I’m not going to say that I was ready, but I had to make the most out of it.”
Giles had no idea what direction to take the program.
“I relied on a lot of contacts that I had,” he said. “I leaned on a lot of people that I knew that were in the sport that had a lot more experience than I did, and they helped me out a lot.”
Conley would be proud by what Giles has accomplished.
Giles led the NSU men’s cross country team to a record seven consecutive MEAC titles from 2000-06 and four more from 2008-11. The Spartans added their conference-record 12th and 13th titles in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
He also guided the Spartans’ track team to a record seven straight sweeps of the MEAC indoor and outdoor titles (200612), and eight straight MEAC indoor crowns (2006-13).
For his success in cross country and track, Giles has been named the MEAC Most Outstanding Coach 33 times. The 33rd came Saturday at Dick Price Stadium, when his men’s team won the championship.
“It is hard to imagine because I didn’t expect all of this,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect. All I relied on was my faith and a lot of trust. And it got me to where I am now.”
He still remembers that it took a couple of years before he was officially named head coach.
“When Marty Miller became the athletic director, he made the smart decision to take that interim off and make me a fulltime track coach,” Giles said, laughing. “But I’m thankful and blessed to be in this position.”
Giles, 58, was a successful runner himself.
In 1985, he earned earned Junior College All-American status when he finished eighth at the indoor national meet in the 800 meters for Hagerstown (Maryland) Community College. He continued his success in that event at the University of North Florida, where he broke the school’s 800-meter indoor record.
He got into coaching and came to Norfolk State. He said it gave him a tremendous appreciation for HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities).
“I tell the kids a lot of times, especially during the recruiting process, that I didn’t attend an HBCU but I’m very thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to coach at one,” he said. “I see the benefits of being at an HBCU because we nurture the kids and we prepare them for life’s challenges.”
One of those athletes’ lives he helped change was my cousin Donald Singleton’s. He originally went to Saint Augustine’s University on a track scholarship, but things didn’t work out.
He contemplated giving up the sport. Then he moved to Hampton Roads to attend Norfolk State. He eventually decided to go out for the team and later earned All-MEAC honors.
Giles said there’s nothing like seeing athletes blossom under his tutelage.
“Yes, it does feel good. It actually feels great to see someone like Donald Singleton, who came into our program after he transferred from Saint Augustine’s,” Giles said. “He was a walk-on student-athlete, but he ended up earning a scholarship. He ended up running 46 seconds in the 400. He was a beast for us.”
NSU freshman thrower Leslie Young said she also appreciates what Giles brings to the program.
“Coach Giles is a big impact on this team,” said Young, a former Norcom High standout. “He brings in great athletes, but he also brings in great coaches to help us progress. It’s great. He’s doing great things.”
Giles, who is now the Director of Track & Field Programs at Norfolk State for both men and women, said he is far from done. But he is quick to not take all the credit.
“I have a great staff and I owe a lot to them,” Giles said about Jerry Price, Donald Bond, Ashanti Goodhope and Daiysa Burrell. “I give them a responsibility and they take care of it. They make me look good. They make our student-athletes look good.”
Giles looks forward to the future of the program, whose present included Norfolk State hosting the MEAC outdoor championships for the first time.
“It tells you that our facilities have gotten to the place where we could host a championship,” he said. “That’s where you have to give kudos to the administration because they put everything in order for us to host this championship. We did a whole new makeover of our track and field facilities, and it’s on display now. We have Power Five conference facilities and I’m definitely pleased about it.”
As for the program, he just wants to keep on winning.
“I would have to thank my athletic director, Melody Webb, for having confidence in me for running both of these programs, and for preparing these student-athletes for the challenge of going out there,” he said. “(Winning) helps us from a recruiting standpoint, and it helps us all over.”