SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Mount Holyoke College Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks has announced the hiring of Chris Kibler as the new Head Cross Country and Assistant Track & Field coach. The former head coach at Keystone College, and an NCAA All-American at Fitchburg State University, will begin his new role with the Lyons on August 7.
"I am excited about Chris' commitment to the student-athlete experience," said Hendricks. "He cares a great deal about the full collegiate experience of his team members. They are successful as students and as athletes. I love his energy and believe that he will continue to grow both our cross country and track and field programs."
"I am ecstatic to begin working at Mount Holyoke College, which champions an elite athletic environment while working in harmony with a world-class academic setting," said Kibler. "I look forward to the opportunity to mentor the remarkable student-athletes at Mount Holyoke as we pursue victories in all facets of life."
Kibler comes to Mount Holyoke after serving as the head cross country and track & field coach at Keystone College. He oversaw all aspects of coaching and team operations, including developing effective, individualized training plans and organizing all aspects of recruiting. Kibler also served as the strength and conditioning coach at Keystone during this time, designing functional training plans for all sports, as well as conducting assessments for athletes.
Prior to his time at Keystone, Kibler served as a volunteer assistant coach at Division I Wake Forest University. During his tenure in the spring of 2016 he helped lead and monitor practice and post-workout drills, as well as organizing all aspects of recruiting.
Kibler served four years as the associate head coach of cross country and track & field at his alma mater, Fitchburg State from 2012 till 2016. During that time, he created personalized training for each athlete, organized recruiting efforts, while also leading and supervising practice and strength workouts. In addition to his coaching role, Kibler has served as an adjunct professor in the exercise and sports science department at Fitchburg State since 2015.
From 2014 through 2016, Kibler also utilized his strength and conditioning skills at Power Source Training Center, where he led, supervised, and assessed athletes of all ages and created individualized strength and speed development cycles.
Kibler served as an intern in the Athletic Communications Office at American International College in 2014, and worked as an intern in strength and conditioning at the College of the Holy Cross in the spring of 2012.
A former All-American in the mile at Fitchburg State, Kibler continues to hold a number of Falcons' records, including in the 1500-meter, the mile, two-mile, 3k, 5k, DMR and the 4x800-meter relay. A seven-time Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) champion, he was the recipient of the Paul K. Waring '38 Athlete of the Year Award in 2014.
Additionally, Kibler was the 2012 MASCAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, the Fitchburg State Athletic Leadership Award recipient and a four-time MASCAC All-Academic selection.
In addition to being a certified strength and conditioning specialist, Kibler is also Level 1 certified by USA Track and Field. He is also a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, as well as the American College of Sports Medicine.
Kibler graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fitchburg State in 2012, earning his Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He was awarded his M.B.A. in management from FSU in 2015, while also earning his certificate in massage therapy from the New Hampshire Institute of Therapeutic Arts in 2013.
