Austin was a great hire by UNCW. The guy can coach all jumps at a high level, he did a good job with the men’s sprinters at WCU, 3:09 isn’t terrible for a mid major. Yeah it’s a weak conference in the sprints but why is it his fault schools choose to invest in other event areas? WCU has always done well in the 400 at that level.
Plus- his family name is HUGE in the state of NC high school track, aunts, uncles, cousins are all legends of coaching in the state. He’s got an established pipeline that will feed the program if they give him the resources. Everyone is realistic, it’s UNCW, they almost cut the program a few years back. But if you’re going to get the interest of NC high school kids again, Austin was a damn good choice.