Nate Wiens returned to UC Riverside as associate head track and field coach in August of 2013 following five years as the sprinters and hurdlers coach at Iowa State.
His first stint at UCR began in 2005, and during his two years with the Highlanders, the men’s and women's 4x400 teams set school records, and the women's team winning the 4x400 at the Big West Championship. The 4x100 teams also recorded the second-fastest times in school history, and UCR earned its then-highest finish in conference competition since moving up to Division I.Â
Also during that time, the Highlanders sent their first-ever sprint/hurdle qualifier to the NCAA West Regional final, and broke a combined eight indoor and outdoor school-relay records. Additionally, Wiens was privileged to see six individual school records broken in the sprints and hurdles.
Wiens also served as the meet director for UCR's cross country and open meets, as well as their first inaugural Inland Empire Coaching Clinic.
From 2009-2013, Wiens guided Iowa State to increasingly stronger performances, as nine school records were set in the sprints and hurdles, and 15 performances ranked on the school’s top three all-time lists. Over 40 student-athletes achieved regional and national qualifying marks, with six earning All-America status. Wiens’ athletes were also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team, as well as a third-team Academic All-American for their efforts in the classroom.
Before his first stint at UCR, Wiens coached at Nebraska-Kearney as sprints, hurdles, relays, and multi-events coach. In two seasons there, his athletes earned 66 all-conference honors including 18 individual conference champions. His event group (sprints, hurdles, relays, jumps, multi-events) set 24 school records, while six of Wiens’ athletes earned RMAC Student-Athletes of the Year and nine became All-Americans on the track.
In the 2004 and 2005 Division II NCAA power rankings, the Loper men's and women's teams placed in the top 15 seven times with three placing in the top four or higher. Wiens served as the Loper Track and Field Summer Camp coordinator, and taught the annual indoor track and field coaching clinic while teaching courses in the health and physical education department.
During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, Wiens coached at Missouri-Kansas City, and served as the multi-events and throws coach while assisting with sprints and jumps. The Kangaroos had nine all-conference athletes in the multi-events, pole vault and throws; two conference champions; one regional qualifier; and broke four school records during his two seasons at UMKC.
He also completed a master's degree in higher education administration with an emphasis in sports management while teaching courses in the HPER department.
Wiens is a 2000 graduate of Mid-America Nazarene College, earning all-conference honors in the pentathlon, high jump, triple jump, and javelin. He majored in physical education and health with a minor in business.Â
He was an NAIA indoor national qualifier in the pentathlon and high jump, and an outdoor national qualifier in the decathlon, high jump, and javelin. He also won the NCCAA national championship in the decathlon, and gained All-American honors in the high jump, javelin, and triple jump.
Wiens owns Level II USATF certifications in sprints/hurdles, jumps, and multi-events. He also owns a USATF Instructor ITC (Instructor Training Course) certified to direct, instruct, and teach Level I USATF Schools. Finally, Wiens is a United States Weightlifting Federation certified club coach.
Wiens is married to Katy Wiens and has two children: a daughter, Nya, and son, Judah.Â
