BOSTON – Simmons University Director of Athletics & Recreation Erica Schuling has appointed Zach Joachim as the next Head Cross Country Coach announced Monday afternoon.
"Our cross country students athletes will benefit from Zach's experience as a former D3 student athlete," says Schuling. "He understands the delicate balance of a rigorous academic course load and the demands of a competitive training and competition schedule. His thoughtful approach to individualized training will be crucial to the team's continued success. I look forward to seeing the program develop under his leadership."
Joachim comes to Simmons with an outstanding background of experience and knowledge in the sport of cross country. He continues to climb the ranks of post-secondary coaching following a stint as the Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach at Massachusetts Bay Community College.
"I want to thank everyone at Simmons for this exciting opportunity," says Joachim. "I'm looking forward to building on the success that the cross country team has had the past several years, and I'm eager to lead the next generation of Sharks both on and off the course."
In addition to coaching at the junior college level, Joachim also spent four years coaching high school cross country and track and field at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Joining Lincoln-Sudbury in the winter of 2018 as an assistant coach, he worked with multiple all-state medalists and a 4x mile relay squad that placed seventh at the national championship meet, and he helped the Warriors qualify for the MIAA All-State Championship in 2019.
Joachim's talent did not go unnoticed as he was elevated to lead the sprint and hurdle groups as well as the program's strength and conditioning regimen. He moved up the coaching rungs in the winter of 2021, being named head coach of the Warriors winter track and field club. In this role, he gained valuable experience with running the day-to-day operations of a successful program, coordinating practices, setting lineups, and assisting athletes with their long-term goals on and off the course.
A USATF Level 1 Certified coach, Joachim also carries multiple certifications from the USTFCCCA. Additionally, he has helped numerous post-collegiate runners improve upon their skills and techniques to perform at their optimum peak.
Joachim ran Division III cross country and track & field at Trinity College receiving NCAA DIII All-Academic honors and All-New England recognition, while earning his Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy and Law.