Coaching Staff

Patrick Irwin, Co-Head Coach/Distance
Years at Knox: 2006 to present

Education
B.A., 2006, Secondary Education and Physical Education, Cornell College

Experience
Patrick Irwin was named the head cross country coach and co-head coach for indoor and outdoor track and field on June 18, 2007. Irwin served as an assistant coach with the Prairie Fire cross country and track and field teams in 2006-07. He also was the assistant girls' track coach at Solon (Iowa) High School in the spring of 2006.

A four-year letter winner at Cornell College (Iowa) in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, Irwin will primarily work with the distance runners during the track and field seasons. In the 2007-2008 season Irwin coached Tim Rairdon '08 as he broke three school records. Rairdon set new records in the 800m indoor and outdoor and in the 1500m outdoor.

The Monmouth, Illinois, native earned a degree in Secondary Education and Physical Education from Cornell in 2006. He also earned his coaching endorsement in track as well as his USATF Level I certification in track. Irwin is currently finishing up his masters in sports management at Western Illinois University.

Contact Information
309-341-7801
pirwin@knox.edu

Dan Zierfuss, Co-Head Coach/Throws
Years at Knox: 2007 to present

Education
B.A., 2005, Psychology, Beloit College

Experience
Dan Zierfuss was named the co-head coach for indoor and outdoor track and field at Knox College on June 18, 2007. He also serves as an assistant coach with the Prairie Fire football team.

Zierfuss, who will primarily focus on coaching the throwing events, was a graduate assistant coach for the track and field teams at Carroll College in 2006-07. He coached the school record holders in both the men's and women's hammer throw at Carroll. In 2005-06, Zierfuss served as an assistant football and assistant track and field coach at Beloit College. In the 2007-2008 season Zierfuss coached Adam Kent '10 to an indoor school record in the weight throw. He has his USATF Level I certification in track.

Zierfuss was a captain for both the football and track and field teams at Beloit College. He was named to the academic All-Midwest Conference team from 2002-05. Zierfuss earned his degree in Psychology from Beloit in 2005. Zierfuss is currently finishing his masters in sports management at Western Illinois University.

Contact Information
309-341-7198
dzierfus@knox.edu

Albert Greene, Assistant Coach/Long Jump/Triple Jump
Years at Knox: 2007 to present

Education
B.A., 2006, Communication, Monmouth College

Experience
Albert Greene is in his second year as an assistant coach for the Prairie Fire. The 2006 Monmouth grad lettered six times - twice in football and four times in track for the Scots. As a track athlete Greene was an eight time national qualifier in the long jump and triple jump. He was named a 2006 All American as he placed third at the NCAA National Championship meet in triple jump. He also still holds his alma mater's record in triple jump.

In addition to coaching at Knox Greene spent one year coaching girls track at Galesburg High School where he worked specifically with the jumpers. Under his coaching he had three girls reach over 17 feet in the long jump and a triple jumper who reached the 37 foot mark.

Greene will be working primarily with the long and triple jumpers. Last year he coached Pam Bell '08 to a MWC Championship in the long jump. Greene is currently working towards his masters in communication at Western Illinois University.

Andy Drendel, Assistant Coach/Pole Vault/Hurdles
Years at Knox: 2008 to present

Education
Currently a senior at Western Illinois University

Experience
Andy Drendel graduated from Kaneland High School (Maple Park, Illinois) where he lettered in football, golf, basketball, and track. Drendel was elected captain of the golf and track team his senior year. He still goes back to his High School where for the past two years he has served as a coach at the Kaneland pole vault camp.

In addition to pursuing his bachelor's in physical education (K-12) at Western Illinois University Drendel has spent the past two years serving as a track coach at Macomb High School. Drendel will be joining the Prairie Fire coaching staff for the first time this year. His primary duties will be coaching pole vault and hurdles.

Christopher Johnson, Assistant Coach/Sprints
Years at Knox: 2005-2006, 2008-Present

Education
B.A. 2004, History & Secondary Education, Knox College

Experience
Christopher Johnson returned to Knox for another indoor season coaching the Prairie Fire Sprinters for the 2009 season. He is a USATF Level One certified coach.

Starting in the 2005 season, Johnson began coaching at Knox College. He has, since that time been actively involved in coaching sprinters and, at times, hurdlers. Over his several years as a Knox coach, Johnson has coached two school-record setting relays and several Midwest Conference medalists. For the 2009 season, Johnson's primary responsibility is coaching the team's sprint group.

In addition to coaching at Knox, Johnson is now on his fourth year as the ROWVA Jr. High History teacher. He began his coaching career with the ROWVA Track and Field team in 2003, volunteering to help coach the jumpers and hurdlers in his free time. By the 2007 season, he was named the Head Jr. High Girls Track Coach where he served for two years. This year, Johnson will be returning to the Girl's Varsity team as the Assistant Coach, responsible for long and mid-distance, jumps, and hurdles. Since it's creation in 2006, Johnson has also served as the Assistant Coach for the co-oped AlWood-ROWVA Varsity Cross Country team.

In his time at Knox College, Johnson earned varsity letters in both Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field for all four years of his collegiate career. In 2003, he was a member of a school record setting relay team as well as qualifying for the MWC finals in the 400m hurdles. His senior year, he served as a team captain for the Prairie Fire.