Keni Harrison is an American hurdler coached by the renowned Bob Kersee. Harrison gained widespread recognition in 2016 when she broke the 28-year-old world record in the 100m hurdles with her time of 12.20 seconds.
Keni Harrison is an American hurdler born on September 18, 1992 in Tennessee. She competed on the college level for the University of Kentucky, winning NCAA titles in 2015 in both the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles.
Quick Facts on Keni Harrison’s Coach
| Coach Name | Bob Kersee |
|---|---|
| DOB | January 1, 1953 |
| Hometown/Birthplace | Canal Zone, Panama |
| Nationality | American |
| Employers/College Team | UCLA, Private Coach |
| Occupation | Track and Field Coach |
| Sports | Track and Field |
| Net Worth | - |
| College | Long Beach State University, Cal State Northridge |
| Height | - |
| Weight | - |
Keni Harrison’s Coach
Bob Kersee is an American track and field coach who has coached some of the most successful athletes in the sport's history, including his wife Jackie Joyner-Kersee and hurdler Keni Harrison.
Born in the Canal Zone of Panama, Kersee attended San Pedro High School in Los Angeles before competing in the hurdles at Los Angeles Harbor College and Long Beach State University.
Keni Harrison’s Previous Coach List
Edrick Floréal
Bob Kersee’s Wife
Kersee has been married to the track and field athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee since 1986.
Jackie is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, winning three gold medals (heptathlon in 1988 & 1992, long jump in 1988) among her six Olympic medals.
The pair first met in 1980 when Jackie joined the UCLA track team as a talented 18-year-old and Kersee was an assistant coach.
Bob Kersee’s Coaching Career
After competing at Harbor Junior College and Long Beach State, Kersee began coaching at Cal State Northridge in the late 1970s. He led Northridge's women's team to consecutive Division I national championships in 1978 and 1979.
Kersee joined UCLA as an assistant coach in 1980 before becoming the head coach of the women's team from 1985 to 1993. During his tenure, the Bruins won six conference titles and finished as national runners-up three times. He has remained at UCLA as a volunteer coach expertising in hurdles and multi-event athletes since 2007.
Kersee has served as a coach for U.S. national teams at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, and other major international competitions.
Bob Kersee’s Record
Kersee's athletes have won a staggering number of Olympic and world championship medals over his coaching career, including:
10 medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, more than the entire British team.
Multiple Olympic gold medals for Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence Griffith Joyner, Gail Devers, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, and more.
World records set by Griffith Joyner in the 100m and 200m, and Joyner-Kersee in the heptathlon and long jump.
Bob Kersee’s Awards & Achievements
USATF Nike Coach of the Year (2005, 2015)
Pac-12 Women's Track & Field Coach of the Century (2016)
Inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Coaches Hall of Fame
FAQ's On Keni Harrison’s Coach
A. Keni Harrison's coach is Bobby Kersee, who has guided elite athletes to Olympic and world championship success over the course of his career as of 2024.
A. Kendra Harrison competed at the college level from the University of Kentucky after transferring from Clemson in 2013, along with sprinter Dezerea Bryant and coach Tim Hall.
A. Bobby Kersee, 69 years old as of 2024, trains his group of athletes at West Los Angeles College.
A. In addition to coaching American hurdler Keni Harrison, Bob Kersee currently (as of May 2024) trains Sydney Michelle McLaughlin, the youngest U.S. Olympian to compete in track and field since 1972.
A. Some of the top athletes coached by Bob Kersee include Valerie Brisco, Gail Devers, Greg Foster, and Andre Phillips, who won numerous gold and silver medals at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics under his coaching.
