Zimbabwean two-time Olympian and veteran sprints coach Ken Harden is one of three finalists announced for the new-look Coach of the Year award that will form part of the World Athletics Awards on Sunday, 29 November.The 53-year-old is the coach of Ja’Kobe Tharp, who at only 20 years of age set a 12.75 world record in the 110m hurdles and then won the Ultimate title in 2026. Harnden’s nomination recognises Tharp’s progression within the Auburn programme from world U20 champion to senior world record-holder.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsHarnden, an eight-time national assistant coach of the year, including five times at Auburn, was named the head coach of the Tigers’ track and field program, Auburn University's team on Monday, 6 July.He has made a historic impact since joining Auburn in July 2022 as an assistant head coach, helping the Tigers to four consecutive trophies at the NCAA championships including five top-six finishes.With 23 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience under his belt, Harnden's student-athletes have earned 31 individual NCAA championships, four relay national titles and more than 200 first team All-America honors. Additionally, Harnden has coached 24 Olympians, been a part of five NCAA team championships and is an eight-time winner of the USTFCCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year award.Mozzart Bet commits Ksh2.5 million to 11th Chemususu Dam Half MarathonAt Auburn, Harnden developed world record hurdler Ja’Kobe Tharp, who is a two-time finalist for The Bowerman Award, presented annually to the nation’s top male and female track athlete. He has also had three athletes earn Southeastern Conference Runner of the Year honors and break three collegiate records.This past year, Harnden coached NCAA champions Tharp and Kayinsola Ajayi, who swept the sprint hurdles and short sprint national championships both indoors and outdoors. Tharp won his fourth straight hurdles national title at the 2026 outdoor championships, winning the 110-meter hurdles after breaking the world record in the event during the semifinals round with a 12.75. It was the first time in 50 years that a world record had been broken at the NCAA championships.Ajayi meanwhile broke the 60-meter collegiate record indoors in 6.45 en route to a gold medal. The Nigerian followed with another national title outdoors at 100 meters, winning the school’s first title in the event since Stanley Floyd in 1980. Ajayi became just the second sprinter in school history to sweep the indoor and outdoor sprint titles, joining Harvey Glance, who won both in 1976.##NAJAVA_MECA_251170451##The Zimbabwean will go up against Felipe de Siqueira of Brazil and Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene of Bahamas, all in the running for the honour that shines a spotlight on those who play a vital role in guiding athletes in the sport.He faces stiff competition from De Siqueira, the long-time coach of Alison dos Santos, the two-time Olympic medalist who set a 45.80 world record in the 400m hurdles and won at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in 2026. De Siqueira’s nomination recognises the long-term development of Dos Santos from emerging talent to world record-holder.Greene, meanwhile, is the coach to Masai Russell and Devynne Charlton. In 2026, Russell set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 and won the Ultimate title, while Charlton equalled her 7.65 world indoor record when winning the world indoor 60m hurdles title. Greene’s nomination recognises both outstanding performances and the depth of his elite hurdles programme.The Coach of the Year honour builds on the previous World Athletics Coaching Achievement Award. Members of the Coaches’ Commission, which was established at the end of 2025, decided on the long list of nominees as part of the revamped voting system.Sabastian Sawe inches closer to World Athletics award as Agnes Ngetich drops outArea coaches’ associations, or alternative nominated bodies in areas where a coaches’ association is not established, then voted by ranking the nominees to ensure full voting representation across all six areas to decide on the three finalists and one winner.The winner will be announced live on stage during the World Athletics Awards. Other awards presented on stage will include the World Athlete of the Year and Rising Star honours, the President’s Award and, for the first time, the Moment of the Year award.
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