Hinch joins GCU staff as associate head coach

Grand Canyon Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Tom Flood announced Tuesday the hiring of Derick Hinch as the Lopes’ associate head coach for track and field.

Hinch joins GCU with a deep résumé of success across all NCAA divisions and brings elite coaching experience in jumps, pole vault and combined events. He most recently served as associate head coach at Washington State, where he guided multiple school-record holders, NCAA qualifiers and All-Americans.

“I am totally thrilled in having Derick, and his family, joining our GCU Track and Field family,” Flood said. “He is one of the brightest young coaches in the country with impressive, proven results, as well as a well-respected reputation. We just got a whole heck of a lot better overnight, both as a track and field staff and a program! I look forward to having him help us continue our GCU track and field success and to also have him help take us to new heights.”

While at Washington State, Hinch coached 20 top-10 performers in school history and four school record-holders, including an Olympic Trials qualifier in the decathlon and multiple NCAA first-round qualifiers. His role extended beyond the field as the Student-Athlete Development Lead, where he helped foster team culture through creative and competitive teambuilding events.

Hinch previously coached at Cornell from 2019 to 2022, where he earned USTFCCCA Northeast Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2022. His athletes set six school records and earned six NCAA Division I All-America honors during his time with the Big Red.

Additional collegiate coaching experience includes stops at Western Colorado, Minnesota State Mankato, and his alma mater, Arizona State. Across all levels, Hinch has coached more than 30 NCAA All-Americans and was part of multiple conference championship teams.

“Thank you Coach Flood, (sport administrator) Anthony Martinez and everyone associated with GCU Athletics,” Hinch said. “I am thrilled to return to the Valley and can’t wait to get on campus and get to work with these amazing student-athletes.”

A two-time NCAA Division I All-American in the pole vault at Arizona State, Hinch competed professionally from 2014 to 2017 as part of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. He owns a lifetime best of 5.56m (18’3″) and placed among the top 10 at multiple U.S. championships.

Hinch holds a master’s degree in sports management from Minnesota State and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Arizona State. He carries multiple national coaching certifications through the USTFCCCA and ALTIS.

 

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“Coach Hinch is a fantastic hire. His knowledge and passion for the sport will help all the athletes he works with. I have no doubt he will help GCU continue their upward trend in the region and national rankings.”
Mike Henderson, head coach, Cornell