Columbia News

Mizzou track and field head coach Brett Halter has announced the hiring of TJ Harris as an assistant coach. Harris will oversee the horizontal jumps and high jump for the Tigers.

Harris joins Missouri after four seasons at San José State, where he served as Associate Head Coach and Field Events Coordinator. During his time with the Spartans, Harris helped athletes set school records in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump. He also coached 19 student-athletes who qualified for the NCAA National Championship First Round and led recruiting efforts in California.

"We are blessed to have coach T.J. Harris join our team," Halter said. "His proven track record, combined with his innovative approach to coaching and development, aligns perfectly with our vision. Coach Harris brings not only a wealth of experience but also a relentless work ethic and a commitment to fostering a winning culture. We're thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the energy and leadership he'll bring to our program."

Before joining San José State, Harris spent seven years as an assistant coach at Campbell University from 2015 to 2021. At Campbell, he coached the school's first female NCAA First Team All-American and guided athletes to 30 individual Big South Conference championships. His athletes also set multiple conference records in jumping events and qualified for Jamaica's national championships in women's high jump and triple jump.

Earlier in his career, Harris coached at Southwestern College—his alma mater—from 2008 to 2014, where his athletes won 20 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference titles. At Johnson County Community College between 2006 and 2008, he mentored two national champions and 14 NJCAA All-Americans. In 2008, he was recognized as the only junior-college coach with top-three national finishes across all four jump events: long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault.

Over his coaching career, Harris has produced four NJCAA national champions, 23 All-Americans, and more than 40 conference champions. His athletes have broken school records in various jumping events at several institutions.

As a student-athlete at Southwestern College, Harris was a three-time NAIA All-American and five-time KCAC champion in long jump, triple jump, and the 4x100m relay. He contributed to two conference title teams during Southwestern's extended championship streak.

Harris is originally from Winfield, Kansas. He graduated from Southwestern College in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in general studies. He holds USATF Level I and II certifications in jumps as well as USTFCCCA certification as an event specialist in sprints, hurdles, and relays.

He is married to Amanda; they have two daughters named Sydni and Leyla and a son named Maxwell.

For updates on Mizzou Cross Country and Track & Field programs visit MUTigers.com or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram or X (MizzouTFXC).