Track & Field Adds Dos Santos As Next Assistant and Distance Coach
August 12, 2026 | Track & Field
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Now official, head coach Greg Thiel and the Gardner-Webb track and field team have announced Nigel Dos Santos as the program's next assistant coach
"We're excited to welcome Nigel Dos Santos, an outstanding distance coach, to our staff" said Thiel. "His passion for developing student-athletes and building a championship culture will elevate our program from day one. This is an exciting day for our program. Nigel brings the knowledge, leadership, and passion to help our student-athletes reach new heights"
Dos Santos joins the staff at Gardner-Webb following a standout collegiate career at both Spartanburg Methodist and USC Upstate. While in the Spartans program, Dos Santos became one of the most outstanding distance athletes in the Big South Conference, graduating with the second-best time in program history for the 5000 meters, and third best time for the 10,000 meters.
After graduating with his M.S. in Exercise and Sports Science, Dos Santos remained active in the USC Upstate program as a graduate assistant. During his short stint on the Spartans coaching staff, Dos Santos combined hands-on coaching with an evidence-based approach to athlete development. His experience includes the use of force plates, GPS, velocity-based training, and motion capture, to monitor performance and guide training.
"We're excited to welcome Nigel Dos Santos, an outstanding distance coach, to our staff" said Thiel. "His passion for developing student-athletes and building a championship culture will elevate our program from day one. This is an exciting day for our program. Nigel brings the knowledge, leadership, and passion to help our student-athletes reach new heights"
Dos Santos joins the staff at Gardner-Webb following a standout collegiate career at both Spartanburg Methodist and USC Upstate. While in the Spartans program, Dos Santos became one of the most outstanding distance athletes in the Big South Conference, graduating with the second-best time in program history for the 5000 meters, and third best time for the 10,000 meters.
After graduating with his M.S. in Exercise and Sports Science, Dos Santos remained active in the USC Upstate program as a graduate assistant. During his short stint on the Spartans coaching staff, Dos Santos combined hands-on coaching with an evidence-based approach to athlete development. His experience includes the use of force plates, GPS, velocity-based training, and motion capture, to monitor performance and guide training.
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