Southeast Missouri State University retiring head track coach Joey Haines has added another national honor to his long list of achievements. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has named Haines the 2008 Men's Midwest Coach of the Year.
In his final year as Redhawks coach, Haines guided the Southeast men's team to the Ohio Valley Conference championship and qualified Miles Smith (400-meters) and John Berry (long jump) for this week's NCAA national championships.
During his 26 year tenure at Southeast, Haines' teams won 15 OVC women's titles and six OVC men's titles. He won the NCAA Division II indoor national championship in 1985. Haines has been named OVC Coach of the Year 20 times and was the NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year in 1985 in addition to being named the NCAA II regional Coach of the Year on six occasions.
"It is certainly fitting for Coach Haines to be honored by a national coaches association during his final year at Southeast," said Redhawks Director of Athletics Don Kaverman. "We applaud his outstanding career at Southeast and wish him good success at the NCAA championships this week."
Haines retirement begins on August 1. His longtime assistant, Eric Crumpecker, will replace him as head coach at Southeast.