THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls head cross country and track and field coach Stefanie Slekis announced Friday that Carl Caughell has been hired as the Colonels' assistant cross country and track and field coach.

"Carl has a variety of experience that has prepared him to coach the talented young women we have returning on our track and field team in sprints, hurdles, jumps, and throws," Slekis said. "After spending a graduate assistantship coaching the multis and jumps at University of Mary and the past two years working with Coach McDaniel at Northern Arizona University assisting with the sprints and hurdles groups, Carl is an excellent fit for our program at Nicholls. He understands the importance of working with our student-athletes to be their best in athletics, but more importantly in academics and service to our community."

Caughell spent two full seasons as a volunteer assistant cross country and track and field coach at NAU. The Lumberjacks were the 2016 NCAA Cross Country Division I Men's National Champions. While at NAU, Caughell helped 11 student-athletes qualify for nationals and aided in 47 All-Big Sky participants, 15 individual and relay champions, 10 all-academic distinctions and six Big Sky team championships.

"Carl was a workhorse for us. He was willing to get there early and stay late. He was somebody that you can tell really loved the sports and being involved with the student athletes," said Eric Heins, the former director of NAU cross country and 2016 NCAA Division I Cross Country Coach of the Year.

Caughell found similar success as a graduate assistant at UMary with 19 All-NSIC and 14 all-academic honorees. Under his tutelage, the Marauders saw nine student-athletes qualify for nationals, three NSIC championships, and two individual conference champions and Academic All-Americans.

"I was beyond excited to begin working for Coach Slekis before we even first spoke," Caughell said. "Two very important coaching colleagues contacted me, spoke very highly of [Slekis] and knew the two of us would be a perfect fit coaching together. Since getting to campus, all projections have been proven to be true. We both see the future Nicholls track and field program drawing attention from the Southland Conference and beyond to the national level."

Caughell was a decorated hurdler at State University of New York at Fredonia, a Division III institution. The Niagara Falls, New York, native was named to the USTFCCCA Academic All-American and All-SUNYAC teams in 2013. Caughell was also awarded All-SUNYAC in 2011 after winning the 110-meter high hurdles at the conference meet.

To stay up to date with the Nicholls cross country and track and field squads, follow the teams on twitter @Nicholls_XCTF.