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Nov. 17, 2009

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Dan O'Mara has been hired as an assistant track and field coach at the University of Northern Iowa head track and field coach Dan Steele announced today. O'Mara will serve as the Panthers throws coach.

"I am thrilled to announce the addition of Dan O'Mara to the UNI track and field family," Steele said. "Dan is one of America's premier throws coaches and to be able to attract a coach as talented and well-respected as O'Mara speaks to the national reputation of UNI track and field. His coaching expertise is exceeded only by his character and integrity. Dan and I connected immediately and we share a common vision for the UNI program. Dan will be a perfect fit with UNI athletics. He has an extraordinary ability to connect with student-athletes. He fits the teacher/coach model I feel is so important to the success of any intercollegiate athletics program."

"It is my goal to help develop one of the finest track and field and cross country programs in the nation," O'Mara said. "I want to help my athletes earn a degree while preparing them for the real world. I want to show athletes what it takes to be the best and challenge athletes to go beyond their comfort zone. I am willing to put forth the effort needed to bring this program to the next level."

Prior to UNI O'Mara served as an assistant track and field coach at Iowa State from 1992-2007. At ISU, O'Mara guided 22 Big 12 Conference Champions in addition to coaching 21 All-Americans and eight Olympic Trials qualifiers. His student-athletes also set seven ISU school records under his tutelage. O'Mara also produced and developed a shot put technique video.

As an athlete at Kansas State, O'Mara was an All-American in the discus as well as the Big Eight conference champion in both the discus and shot put. He also earned Big Eight all-conference honors in the javelin. In 1994 he was inducted in the Kansas State Hall of Honor Track and Field.

O'Mara was a graduate assistant coach at the University of South Carolina from 1990-1992 and also served as a graduate assistant from 1989-1990 at Kansas State. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from Kansas State in 1990 and later earned his master's degree in sport psychology from Iowa State in 1997.