Friday, September 7, 2018
by Northwest Nazarene Athletic Communications

NAMPA, Idaho – Danny Bowman is coming home.

The 2005 Northwest Nazarene graduate was announced as the school's 10th head track and field and cross country coach Friday.

"It obviously meant a lot to me being an alumnus," Bowman said. "I just want to give back, as well as continue the success the program has gotten."

Bowman has been the head track and field and cross country coach at Concordia-Irvine since 2014. Before that he was an assistant track coach at Olivet Nazarene, a teacher at a high school in Idaho Falls and an assistant coach at NNU from 2004-07.

"We are thrilled to have Coach Bowman back at NNU and leading our track and field and cross country programs," NNU athletic director Kelli Lindley said. "Coach Bowman has proven himself as an exceptional collegiate head coach, as well as a gifted leader of young adults.

"I am confident he will not only build on the winning tradition of track and field and cross country at NNU, but also pour himself into the social and spiritual development of the student-athletes he leads."

Bowman replaces John Spatz, who resigned in August to go to Community Colleges of Spokane (Wash.) as a kinesiology professor and track and field coach. Spatz had coached at NNU since 2002.

Bowman joins Ben Gall as recent hires in the program. Gall, who came from Cal Baptist earlier this summer as the associate head cross country coach, replaced Jake Perry.

Bowman coached four Pacific West champions in the three years Concordia was in the conference. He has coached more than 80 track and field school records, 359 of 360 athletes he has coached have recorded lifetime personal bests. He also has had two NAIA national champions and 34 NAIA All-Americans.

"I just mainly want to bring my coaching philosophy and style and implement it," Bowman said. "To create a culture where everyone can be successful in their academics, athletics, spiritual walk and social endeavors."

Bowman has been a member of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association since 2012 when he got his sprints/hurdles/relays specialist certification. He became USA Track & Field Level II sprints/hurdles/relays certified in 2009.

Bowman earned his undergraduate degree from NNU in psychology with an interdisciplinary emphasis. He received his master's in organizational leadership from Olivet in 2012.