Shawn Wilbourn

Shawn Wilbourn is currently in his eleventh season as a member of the Duke track & field coaching staff after joining the Blue Devils following the Olympic trials in July of 2008. Wilbourn works with Duke’s combined-event, pole vault and sprints and hurdles student-athletes.

During his Duke tenure, Wilbourn has coached two NCAA champions, 17 All-Americans, 11 ACC champions and 52 All-ACC honorees. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, his student-athletes combined to own 32 school records.

Prior to working at Duke, Wilbourn held a similar position at Georgia after spending four years at Cortland State University, the last two as director of men’s and women’s track and field and cross country. He was honored with numerous Atlantic Region and New York State Coach of the Year honors for his mentoring at Cortland State, while coaching 18 All-Americans and two national champions.

In addition to college coaching experience, Wilbourn has also imparted his knowledge to athletes following their collegiate careers. In 2008, WIlbourn coached former Georgia long jumper Patty Sylvester to the Beijing Olympics. The Grenadian posted a mark of 22-0.25 (6.71) the same year, a national record for the event.

As an athlete, Wilbourn was a 1996 Olympic trials finalist in the decathlon and competed at the World Championships for the United States in 1997. His career best in the decathlon is 8,268 points.

In addition, Wilbourn is a USATF Level II certified coach as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist.