ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington alumnus and associate head coach Brandon Berger, who recently celebrated his 25th year on the UTA athletics staff, has been named head track and field coach.
 
"Brandon has been a foundational piece of our program for decades – as a student-athlete and coach," UTA Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jon Fagg said. "He has developed championship-level student-athletes and understands what it takes to win here. We're confident in his ability to lead our program forward."
 
During his time at UTA, Berger has coached the team's vertical and horizontal jumpers, hurdlers and multi-event specialists. Since 2007, the Mavericks have claimed seven team conference championships in indoor and outdoor track and field under his tutelage. He also was a part of five league titles as a UTA student-athlete.
 
"I have thought about this possibility for a long time and am very thankful to Dr. Jennifer Cowley and Jon Fagg for this opportunity," Berger said. "UTA is such a special place to me and my family. I went to school here and it's the only place I've ever worked. I know how this machine operates and what makes it unique. Now it's about finding ways to continue to build upon what Coach (John) Sauerhage and our staff have created."
 
UT Arlington's field event and multi-event athletes have earned conference distinction and national prominence. In all, Berger has coached 129 all-conference performers, including 34 individual conference champions and four conference athletes of the year. His student-athletes have earned 21 NCAA All-America accolades, including 10 first-team nods, and he has helped 52 Mavericks become national meet qualifiers. In addition, 16 of Berger's athletes own school records.
 
Berger coached the first women's national champion in school history when Alexus Henry claimed the title in the high jump at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Berger helped Henry break four school records that season alone, as she set school marks in the indoor high jump, indoor pentathlon, outdoor high jump and outdoor heptathlon.
 
Multi-event specialist Romain Martin secured six All-America plaques during his time in Arlington (three in the heptathlon and three in the decathlon) under Berger. Martin earned a runner-up finish in the decathlon at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships, which was the best individual finish by a Maverick athlete in two decades. His top heptathlon showing also came in 2012, when Martin took third at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
 
In addition, Berger was selected to coach the jumps and throws for Team USA at the 2017 World Junior Para Athletics Championships in Switzerland, where his five athletes recorded three gold medals. UTA jumper Tobi Fawehinmi won a gold medal in the triple jump and a bronze medal in the long jump at that meet.
 
Berger served as a student assistant at UTA in 2000, working with multi-event and field event athletes while also coordinating travel. From 2001-07, he was assistant events manager at Maverick Stadium. Berger was hired as an assistant track coach in 2007 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2012.
 
"UTA has it all. It is a terrific school where you can get a high-quality education in a great location, and it offers you opportunities both in college and after graduation," Berger said. "We know what kind of student-athletes thrive here, and our administration has been instrumental in helping our program be successful."

A former UTA student-athlete from 1996-99 under retiring head coach Sauerhage, Berger competed in the decathlon as well as the 110m and 400m hurdles. As a prep, Berger was a state qualifier in the 110m hurdles and helped his Odessa Permian team to the 1993 Class 5A state championship.

A 2000 graduate of UT Arlington with a degree in biology, he is married to former UTA track standout Mishael (Bertrand) Berger, who is an associate athletics director for the department. They have two children, Ava and Noah.
    "This is a well-earned opportunity, and I know how much it means to him to represent a program he has dedicated so much to. During my time as a track athlete at UTA, I felt like I was part of a family, and Coach Berger was at the center of it. He was the first person I went to with good or bad news, and he's someone I still know I can reach out to. That says a lot about who he is as a coach and a mentor. His consistency, drive and investment in his athletes go beyond the sport. He's a great coach, but more importantly, someone who makes a lasting impact on the people he coaches."  
"I have known Brandon for 30 years now, first as an athlete and then as a coach. He knows well the level of hard work and dedication that it takes to be successful at the Division I level. Brandon has excellent coaching credentials but also shows great leadership skills as well as a keen business sense, all requirements of a successful head coach. Back when he was an athlete, we were a close group. That not only helps develop a love for track and field but also those relationships between an athlete and coach that are so critical to success. Brandon certainly has carried these qualities with him through his coaching career."

"Brandon's an outstanding coach who brings a great deal of energy and attention to detail to everything he does. More importantly, he genuinely cares about the development of his student-athletes, both on and off the track. His ability to connect with athletes and get the most out of them is something that really stands out. UTA is getting somebody who will continue the track and field legacy. I'm excited to see the impact he'll have on the program."  
"Coach Berger has always been more than just a coach – he's a friend, mentor and someone I can always call on. I never felt an ounce of doubt from him during my time at UTA and always knew he wanted the best for me. I appreciate him more than he knows, and I thank him for being a huge part of my collegiate and Paralympic journey and congratulate him on his new position."  
"Coach Berger had a huge impact on my time at UTA. He coached me through becoming a four-time school-record holder and the first female national champion in program history. More than the achievements, he helped build my confidence and taught me how to compete with belief and discipline at the highest level. He leads with integrity, consistency and care for his athletes, and it's clear he's been preparing for this role long before it became official."  
"Brandon has been preparing for this his entire career. He's an excellent coach, he's organized and fully ready to lead our teams. I am very proud to hand over the reins to an assistant in our program, but more importantly to an alum who cares and wants us to continue to have a very successful program."