Light began his coaching career as women's track and field and cross country head coach at Adams State College for two seasons (August, 1980- August, 1982). He was honored as NAIA National Coach of the Year following his team's NAIA cross country win in 1981 (and then-meet record low 25 points), and outdoor national runner-up finish in 1982. Individually, his athletes claimed four individual track and field and cross country crowns, two NAIA national records and 15 All-America plaques.
Light is ecstatic at the opportunity to return to Adams State, offering the following comments via telephone on Tuesday morning: “It means everything to me to be able to give back to my school and coach student-athletes. It really is just an honor to be able to work with Damon (Martin) and the program that he has built. I am just extremely blessed.”
A highly-regarded coach at the collegiate, U.S. and international levels for three decades, he helped the University of Oregon women jumpstart their transition process with the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, as selected by Track and Field News. In the 2005 season, the men's squad was crowned Pac-10 Champions and the team finished second overall at the West Regional Meet and ninth at the outdoor national meet. The men's squad also finished sixth as a team at the indoor national meet.
Light also served 6 years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for LSU. During that time LSU won 11 NCAA team titles. Light coached 15 NCAA All Americans, 13 SEC champions, and 12 student athletes to new LSU school records.
Light had one of his best seasons at Texas Tech in 2010 with four All-Americans, four Big 12 titles and two freshmen of the year honors achieved. He was also honored at the Mountain Regional Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year on the men's side.
Light stated that his goals include working to continue the strong tradition that Adams State has already built, while preparing student-athletes to achieve at a high level as they prepare for their conference and national championships meets.
As a student-athlete, he was a two-time All-America sprinter at Adams State, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation in 1979, and added a master's degree in exercise physiology in 1980.
A native of Lamar, Colo., Light and his wife Shanny have two sons, Tyler and Brett.
