Grit, Gold & the Grind: Coach Ken Harnden on Sprint Culture at Auburn
Update: 2025-08-07
Description
On Episode 383 of Airey Bros Radio, we go belly to belly with Coach Ken Harnden, Auburn’s Associate Head Track & Field Coach and a two-time Olympian. With 25 NCAA champions, 170+ All-Americans, and 19 Olympians developed under his guidance, Coach Harnden has helped transform Auburn’s sprints & hurdles group into one of the most dominant forces in collegiate track & field.This one’s for the sprinters, hurdlers, coaches, and parents seeking the right fit — on the track and beyond.
🎙️ Topics include:
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Explore Rich's Ultra Marathon Coaching: Black Sheep Endurance 🏃♂️💪
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🗒️ Show Notes / Timestamps:
🎙️ Topics include:
- The rise of Ja’Kobe Tharp & Auburn’s back-to-back NCAA 4x1 titles
- Coaching philosophy: "Be the bus driver, not the ego"
- Recruiting with integrity in the NIL era
- The Auburn experience: academics, walkability, culture
- Training global athletes from Zimbabwe to Nigeria
- Real estate classes, discipline, and how coffee with 20 sugars keeps Coach powered up
- Reflections on 24 years in coaching, Olympic dreams, and building championship culture
Don’t forget to subscribe, hit the bell, and join the conversation in the live chat. Let’s go!🌟
Follow & Support Airey Bros Radio! 🌟👉 Subscribe on YouTube: / @aireybros 🎥🔥👉
Follow us on Instagram: @aireybrosradio 📸💬👉
Explore Rich's Ultra Marathon Coaching: Black Sheep Endurance 🏃♂️💪
☕ Feeling Generous? Buy Us a Coffee!Support the show and help keep us caffeinated: Buy Me a Coffee 💖☕
🗒️ Show Notes / Timestamps:
- 0:00 – Intro & Coach Harnden’s Olympic résumé
- 1:14 – Building Auburn’s sprint/hurdle empire
- 2:30 – NCAA podium finish + Ja’Kobe Tharp’s rise
- 4:00 – Diamond League & global athlete development
- 10:00 – World team prep & NCAA season balance
- 11:00 – Coach’s Zimbabwe roots & walk-on journey at UNC
- 17:00 – Recruiting values > just times
- 24:00 – Relay chemistry, 4x1 mindset, and team competition
- 27:00 – Reflections on NCAA 4th-place finish
- 31:00 – Coaching with Leroy Burrell at Auburn
- 34:00 – Gear, compliance, and running the program
- 40:00 – Strength training & Coach Tyler Gay’s impact
- 43:00 – Why Auburn is a hidden gem for student-athletes
- 48:00 – NIL, roster caps, and shifting college track culture
- 54:00 – Advice to young coaches: “It’s not about you”
- 57:00 – Coffee habits: 4 venti pikes a day with 20 sugars
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