PISCATAWAY, N.J.  – Associate Head Coach Robert Farrell of Rutgers men's track and field has been named the 2019 Mid Atlantic Men's Assistant Coach of the Year, the association announced Friday.
 
Farrell, in his seventh season with the program and third as associate head coach, is directly in charge of all jumps, throws and multi-event student-athletes. This season he guided two Scarlet Knights to Big Ten medals, 10 to podium finishes at the conference championships, and seven to NCAA Regionals.
 
Leading the Farrell-coached throws unit, graduate-student Chris Mirabelli claimed his third Big Ten title in the javelin this year, earning First Team All-Big Ten status. Mirabelli, a three-time All-American, returned to competition this year after sitting out due to a shoulder surgery and heart condition. With Farrell's assistance, Mirabelli is set to compete at the upcoming NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas from June 5-8.
 
Additionally, Farrell guided freshman A'nan Bridgett to two Big Ten medals in his rookie campaign. Bridgett picked up a bronze medal at the indoor championships followed by a silver medal with Second Team All-Big Ten accolades at the outdoor championships.
 
Following the conference championships, Mirabelli (javelin), senior John Mooers (discus), junior Perry Christie (high jump), redshirt junior Greg Harnett (javelin), sophomore Malachi Davis (triple jump), redshirt-sophomore Jason Campbell (discus), and Bridgett (long jump) all qualified for NCAA Regionals.
 
In the indoor season, the Rutgers triple jump record fell twice within minutes. Davis first reset the mark with a leap of 15.62m (51' 3"). Tella then followed with a jump of 15.80 (51' 10") to become RU's record holder.
 
At the 2019 IC4A Indoor Championships, Tella claimed the long jump title and Davis captured the triple jump title under Farrell's watch.
 
In his seven years "On the Banks," Farrell's student-athletes have captured nine All-America honors, 11 individual conference titles and 37 NCAA Regional qualifications. His student-athletes have broken 14 school records while garnering 11 conference "Athletes of the Week" awards and a USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Field Athlete of the Year.
 
Overall, Farrell has led Scarlet Knights to six Big Ten titles, 12 total Big Ten medals, and eight All-Big Ten honorees under his guidance.
 
Farrell earns the honor for the second time, after being named the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year. During the program's inaugural year in the Big Ten Conference, Farrell mentored Emeka Eze to a Big Ten title in the long jump at the 2015 Big Ten Outdoor Championships, the first Big Ten title in program history. Eze was named First Team All-Big Ten for his performance, while Josh Suttmeier earned Second Team All-Big Ten accolades in the javelin.
 
In addition, Farrell helped guide Thomas Carr and Mirabelli to appearances at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the javelin. Under the guidance of Farrell, Carr captured two conference championships and one USA Championship while Mirabelli qualified for the 2015 Pan American Junior Championships.
 
The New Jersey native graduated from Rutgers with a BA in English, where he was a multiple BIG EAST Scorer, IC4A qualifier and Academic All-BIG EAST selection. He earned a Masters in Sports Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He currently holds a USATF Level II certification in Jumps and a USTFCCCA Academy Special Certification in Sprints, Hurdles and Relays.
 
Farrell resides in Toms River, New Jersey, with his wife Jessica and their sons, Tristan and Caden.
 
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers men's track and field and cross country, follow the program on Twitter (@Rutgers_MensTF). The team is also on Facebook (facebook.com/ RutgersMensTF/).