The Dodge City Community College track and field program has added a second assistant coach with the addition of D'Angelo Whitehead to the coaching staff. He will also work as an academic advisor for Conquistador athletics. 
 
Whitehead comes to Dodge City fresh out of the University of Memphis where he competed collegiately in track and field, along with starting his coaching career, earned his bachelor's degree in health sciences, and will graduate with his master's degree in sport commerce in August. The Warner Robins, Georgia native started his college track career competing at Limestone University (located in South Carolina) where he would work his way to a ranking of 14th during the 2019-20 season in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA Division II level. He finished his track and field career at the University of Memphis where he competed in the sprints including the 60-meter dash, along with the 100 and 200-meter dashes, while also racing on the Tigers 4x100 and 4x400-meter relay teams. At Memphis, he was a semifinalist in the 60-meter dash in the American Athletic Conference and earned all-conference honors as part of the 4x400-meter relay team.
 
"This opportunity excites me because of the impact I'm capable of having as both a coach and an academic advisor. It means the world to me to be able to groom athletes on the track as well as academically, because, at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. I'm also excited to work alongside Coach (Cole) Ballard and Coach (Bianca) Richards, as they have proven to be phenomenal coaches and people; as well as having an amazing supporting administrative staff," said Whitehead about joining the coaching staff at Dodge City. 
 
While Memphis gained some leadership experience serving as the track and field representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) which gives student-athletes a voice on campus to help influence positive change. In March of this year, he started his coaching career when he became a volunteer coach for the Memphis track and field program as he worked with sprints, hurdles, and relay groups. He earned his USATF Level 1 coaching certification early this year and plans to obtain his Level 2 certification in sprints, hurdles, and relay events once he becomes eligible. He also during the spring and summer of 2022 worked as an intern strength and conditioning coach at Christian Brothers high school in Memphis where he helped oversee 23 sports and led their freshman basketball team. 
 
"With my exuberant personality, strong will to win, and passion for the sport of track and field, I hope to bring a winning culture to the sprint and hurdle groups, along with creating personal relationships that will last a lifetime with my athletes. I also hope to be a vital resource to all student-athletes in various aspects, as I will also serve as one of the athletic academic advisors for Dodge City Athletics," said Whitehead. 
 
The Conqs track and field program will look to continue to compete strong in the KJCCC and Coach Whitehead comes to Dodge City with a great mindset of helping the Conqs work to be atop of the KJCCC and the NJCAA. 
 
"I hope to get Dodge City Track & Field to its rightful position to the top rankings in the KJCCC by attributing points at conference meets and applying the same approach for NJCAA nationals. For the sprinters and hurdlers, I will coach, I hope to reshape their perspective and purpose within their disciplines and create a dominating mindset. With great focus and the will to work hard, I believe that we will get there," said Whitehead on what he hopes to accomplish while being a part of the Conqs track and field program.