NCAA Champion and FAMU Sports Hall of Famer brings elite competition, collegiate coaching and sports technology experience to the Lions

AUGUSTA, Ga. — August 19, 2026 — Paine College is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Hicks as Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country programs. An NCAA champion, Team USA competitor, accomplished collegiate coach and Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Famer, Hicks brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the track.

Hicks joins Paine College with a career spanning elite competition, collegiate coaching and sports technology innovation. His appointment marks an exciting step forward for Paine Athletics as the College continues to strengthen its athletic programs and create opportunities for student-athletes to compete, grow and excel.

A native of Miami, Florida, Hicks began his track and field career at Miami Central High School, where he became a Florida state champion in cross country, the 1,600 meters and the 1,600-meter relay.

He continued his career at Florida A&M University (FAMU), establishing himself as one of the most accomplished middle-distance runners in the program’s history. Hicks became a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion in the 800 and 1,500 meters and reached the pinnacle of collegiate competition in 2005 when he captured the NCAA Division I Indoor 800-meter Championship.

That same year, Hicks won the USA Indoor 800-meter title and placed third at the USA Outdoor Championships, earning a place on Team USA at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. He also finished runner-up in the 800 meters at the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships with a personal-best time of 1:44.94, which remains FAMU’s outdoor school record. His indoor record of 1:46.97 also remains among his collegiate accomplishments.

In recognition of his outstanding career, Hicks was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Following college, Hicks competed professionally, including an 800-meter victory at the 2006 Kansas Relays, where he posted a meet-record time of 1:47.58. He continued competing nationally against some of the sport’s top athletes before transitioning into coaching.

Hicks began his collegiate coaching career at Florida State University, working with middle-distance, distance and cross country student-athletes in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He later joined Queens University of Charlotte, where he directed the sprint and middle-distance groups and helped lead the women’s program to the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Championship.

During his tenure at Queens, Hicks coached Asia Hart to school records in the indoor and outdoor 400 meters and helped guide her to South Atlantic Conference Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year honors.

His coaching experience also includes work with the Charlotte Track Club and involvement with the Queen City Classic. Beyond competition and coaching, Hicks has remained connected to the advancement of athletics through service and innovation. In 2023, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the FAMU Rattler Boosters, Inc.

Hicks also brings a unique technology background to Paine Athletics. He is the creator of Split Control, a timing and data application designed to assist coaches in managing workouts and tracking athlete development and performance.

At Paine College, Hicks will lead the development of the men’s and women’s track & field and cross country programs with an emphasis on student-athlete development, competitive excellence, academic achievement, recruitment and building a strong championship culture.

Hicks earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Florida A&M University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Arizona.

The Paine College community welcomes Coach Kevin Hicks to the Pride and looks forward to a new chapter for Lions Track & Field and Cross Country.