DORIAN SCOTT CHOSEN TO LEAD UNLV WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAMS
Former student-athlete and two-time Olympian comes to Rebel program from Florida State where he served as the Director of Field Events and Throws Coach for last nine years
@UNLVAthletics | @UNLVTrackCC
Dorian Scott has been named the new head coach of the women’s track & field/cross country programs at UNLV, Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois announced Wednesday.
A former student-athlete and two-time Olympian, Scott comes to Las Vegas after serving as Florida State University’s Director of Field Events and Throws Coach for the last nine years.
“Dorian’s values-based leadership, preparation both as an Olympic athlete and as a coach at the highest levels, along with his commitment to the student-athlete’s holistic development became apparent throughout this process,” Reed-Francois said. ”He has an infectious enthusiasm, a relentless work ethic and he will bring a very high energy to our program. His focus on excellence both on and off the track and field, as well as his coaching and recruiting experience at Florida State will continue our upward trajectory and positive momentum.
“Dorian’s plan and vision for the future of the UNLV track & field and cross country programs were impressive, and we look forward to competing for championships under his direction in the near future. Thank you to Sarah Wattenberg and the search committee for their leadership throughout this search.”
The Seminoles have consistently had an elite group of throwers under Scott’s instruction, amassing 26 All-American honors, 17 Atlantic Coast Conference titles and 71 all-conference selections.
“I would like to thank UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield and Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois for the opportunity to join such an exciting and dynamic athletics department,” Scott said. “It is a true honor to become the head coach of track and field/cross country at UNLV. I’m excited to elevate the program and to bring some special student-athletes to this amazing city. My family and I can’t wait to join the UNLV community!
“I would also like to thank the administration and staff at Florida State, especially head coach Bob Braman, for his leadership and support. He entrusted me to help build up the field events and gave me a lot of freedom to make FSU throws my own. I would not be the coach I am without my experience at FSU.”
The success of Scott’s throws group played a large part in the FSU program padding its championship pedigree. Since his first season in 2013, the women’s program has won seven ACC titles (three indoor, four outdoor), while the men have claimed nine (four indoor, five outdoor).
Scott’s leadership has helped rewrite the FSU record books as his throwers have set seven total school records. The women’s group established records in every indoor and outdoor event at FSU, including records in the indoor shot put, the weight throw, outdoor shot put, discus, hammer and javelin. His throws group holds 33 of the 60 positions on the Top 10 list for indoor and outdoor throws on the women’s side, and under his direction, the men hold 24 of the 60 top marks in school history.
Scott, who was named the 2017 USATFCCA South Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year, rejoined the Florida State program in 2012 after coaching the 2012 season at San Diego State University as an assistant. While there, he coached one of SDSU’s student-athletes to the 2012 NCAA Outdoor discus title, which contributed to the Aztecs finishing in the top 10.
As a student-athlete at Florida State, Scott became the No. 2 shot-putter in school history. He earned first-team All-America honors in 2005, contributing to the team’s fourth-place national finish – the program’s best in 25 years. The 2005 ACC Outdoor shot put champion, he was a five-time All-ACC honoree and part of five conference team titles. He still holds FSU’s Mike Long Track record (21.45 meters/70-4.50), which he set as a professional in 2008 prior to the Beijing Olympics. Scott also became the first Jamaican thrower to reach the finals in the shot put during the 2012 London Olympics.
A two-time world finalist for Jamaica, he finished fifth at the 2008 Indoor World Championships, won the silver medal at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth games and the silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games. Scott was a 10-time national Jamaican shot put champion.
Before embarking on his college career, Scott attended Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, New Jersey, where he later was inducted into its Sports Hall of Fame.
A proponent of student success, Scott has been involved with a variety of committees at FSU including FSUUnified, which is focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, and REAL Men, which provides professional development and networking opportunities for student-athletes. He also served as a host for the Career Center’s job shadow program, FSUshadow.
Scott earned his Bachelor’s Degree in social science from Florida State in 2007. He and his wife, Geneva, have a son, Sterling, born in 2019.