RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech head coach Gary Stanley announced the addition of Raffael Craig to the LA Tech Track & Field coaching staff on Friday morning.
 
Craig, a former volunteer assistant coach at Texas Tech, worked with the jumps and multi events during his time in Lubbock, Texas. In 2021 alone, Craig helped coach six Red Raiders to All-America honors, including Ruth Usoro, who won both the indoor and outdoor title in the triple jump at the NCAA Championships.
 
Craig also helped coordinate Texas Tech's recruiting along with associate head coach James Thomas.
 
The new LA Tech assistant coach will also coach the jumps and multi events at Louisiana Tech.
 
"I am really excited that Raffael Craig has joined our track and field staff," Stanley said. "His experience at both Texas Tech and the high school ranks has prepared him to be a valuable asset to our staff."
 
A native of Millville, New Jersey, Craig shined as a multi-event athlete at both Millville Senior High School and the University of Connecticut. Craig won the pentathlon at the 1999 National Scholastic Indoor Championships before recording three top-six finishes in three separate events at the 1999 NJ Outdoor Meet of Champions.
 
At UConn, Craig clinched a first-place finish in the pentathlon at the 2000 Big East Championships. He earned All-Big East honors four times in the high jump and combined events across his college career.
 
Craig began his coaching career at his high school alma mater, guiding the Millville women's team to its first state championship in 2019. The New Jersey native coached 14 New Balance All-Americans, nine AAU/USATF National Champions and 17 AAU/USATF All-Americans across his 15 years in Millville, New Jersey.
 
"I am appreciative for the opportunity to work with coach Stanley and his staff as we add to the rich tradition of excellence he has created here at Louisiana Tech across his 39-year career," Craig said. "This is an exciting time for Louisiana Tech track and field, and I am honored to be a part of it."
 
Craig earned his bachelor's degree in liberal arts at Thomas Edison State College in 2005. He recently completed his master's degree in coaching and exercise science at Concordia University Irvine in October 2020.
 
The new Bulldog and Lady Techster assistant coach will be joined in Ruston by his wife Shelia and his children Bryanna, Autumn, Raffael Jr., Austin and Colette.
 
For complete coverage of Louisiana Tech's track and field program, please follow @LATechTFXC on Twitter or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.