SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Mount Holyoke College Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks has announced that Chris Kibler has been named the head coach of the Lyons' cross country and track & field teams. He will also serve as a lecturer in the Department of Physical Education. Kibler has served as MHC's head cross country coach and assistant track & field coach for the past year and a half.
"I am thrilled and honored to be named the head coach of the cross country and track and field program," said Kibler. "This department, under Lori's leadership, fosters a highly competitive athletic environment that puts a major focus on developing young people through a comprehensive student-athlete experience. Coupled with the world class academic setting of Mount Holyoke College, it allows me to bring a holistic coaching approach so our student-athletes can pursue and achieve victories in every facet of life. I am excited for the opportunity to continue guiding our truly remarkable student-athletes and I couldn't be prouder to call myself their coach."
"In his time at MHC, Coach Kibler has demonstrated a commitment to the MHC experience." said Hendricks. "His vision aligns with mine that successful athletes can also be serious scholars. As the Director of Athletics, I am thrilled for the future of our cross country and track and field programs."
Since his arrival in South Hadley, Kibler has guided the Lyons cross country to seven top-10 finishes over 10 meets during the fall season. This season, Mount Holyoke has finished ninth or better in all three of its races, including second overall at the Smith Invitational and third at the Jim Sheehan Invitational at Fitchburg State.
Kibler came 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 four-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, a four-time MASCAC All-Academic selection and was inducted into the institution's Athletic Hall of Fame in September of 2018.
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.
