David Klech

In summer 2017, David Klech was promoted to head coach of the UC Santa Cruz track & field and cross country teams after serving for a season as an assistant coach. David has been involved in a championship college program both as an athlete and a coach.

A native of San Ramon, Coach Klech was the California Gatorade State Track and Field High School Athlete of the Year in 2005 and 2006 and was National Athlete of the Year in 2006. An AA two-time California State champion in the intermediate hurdles, Klech won a silver medal at the World Youth championships in the 400m hurdles and was a finalist in the long jump. At the University of Oregon, he was a two-time All-American in the decathlon before graduating in 2010 with a major in Psychology and minor in Business Administration. He also earned a Master’s Degree in 2011 In Psychology Research while becoming an NCAA Division 1 First Team Academic All-American. His competitive experience at Pac-12 powerhouse Oregon gave him great insight into the impact that coaching philosophy can have on a program and the student-athletes within it.

After graduation, he spent three years as an assistant for the Ducks. Coach Klech worked with the vertical jumpers, hurdlers, and multi-eventers. In his time there, he helped the Women of Oregon win the 2012 and 2013 NCAA Division 1 Indoor National titles. He was also played a part of four conference championships. He was instrumental in the development of three-time Pac 12 champion Dakotah Keys in the Decathlon. While working with the Ducks, Coach Klech earned a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Academic Success factor for student-athletes as well as earning the runner-up finish at the 2012 USATF Indoor Championships in the Heptathlon. He spent the previous three years coaching at Acalanes High School, in Contra Costa County, where he guided the program to a number of league championships and state qualifiers. He has also worked with masters’ athlete Joy Upshaw, helping coach her to a Masters Age Group World Record in the 60m Hurdles.

His experience as a decathlete and certifications as a USATF Level 2 multi-events coach and USTFCCCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist have given him a broad scope of technical knowledge to impact athletes in all event groups.