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Iowa Central Community College athletic director Kevin Twait announce the hiring of Nigel Bigbee as the newest member of the Triton track and field staff this week.
"With the sudden and tragic passing of head men's and women's track and field coach Denny Myers a month ago, Iowa Central has opted to restructure both our track and field and cross country programs," Twait said. "Our current cross country coach, Dee Brown, will serve as interim director of both the track and field and cross country programs. We have hired back to Iowa Central former track and field assistant Nigel Bigbee to serve as our interim track and field coach. We have promoted current assistant cross country coach Nick Ekel to serve as our interim head cross country coach.
Bigbee comes from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., where he served as the jumps and hurdles coach this past semester. In one season, he coached three conference champions and five NCAA regional qualifiers in six events.
WKU is an NCAA Div. I University, and a member of the Conference USA.
Prior to this past spring Bigbee coached sprints, horizontal jumps and hurdles for the Tritons from 2014 through '17. While at Iowa Central, he was named the 2016 USTFCCCA men's indoor track and field assistant coach of the year and the 2016 USTFCCCA women's outdoor track and field assistant coach of the year.
From 2009-14, Bigbee coached sprints, hurdles, relays and cross country at Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kan. Bigbee was a member of the University of Nebraska track and field coaching staff from 2007-09, with primary duties being those of recruitment.
Bigbee graduated from Indiana State University (ISU), where he earned his degree in Business Management in 2007. While at ISU he was team captain on the Sycamore track team, earning All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in the 60-meter hurdles, 110-meter hurdles, and the 4×100 meter relay.
Bigbee is a native of Indianapolis, Ind., and a graduate of Cathedral High School.
"I'd like to thank Dr. (Dan) Kinney and Tom Beneke for giving me an opportunity to return to a place that is dear to my heart and continue the legacy of excellence for which the Tritons are known," Bigbee said.
Brown started both the cross country and track and field programs at Iowa Central in 2004. He has been the head cross country coach for both men and women since their inauguration, and will begin his 15th year this fall.
Brown also served as the head track and field coach from 2004-09. He will continue to focus a majority of his time with cross country, while coaching the distance runners during the track and field season.
"We are so fortunate that we have someone of Dee's abilities and qualifications to lead both our track and field and cross country programs," Twait said. "He started both programs here from their inception. Both programs have thrived on the national scene under his guidance. I am confident that the proud tradition of both programs will be maintained under his leadership."
Brown is looking forward to having Bigbee back in Fort Dodge.
"I couldn't be more excited to bring Nigel back on board at Iowa Central," Brown said. "He is exactly what our programs need right now and will enable us to continue our quest to be a national powerhouse in track and field and cross country, which produces high quality young men and women.
Ekel has been with the Tritons since last November, working as recruiting coordinator for track and field, coaching middle distance runners in the spring, and assisting with the cross country program. Ekel will continue as the recruiting coordinator and academic advisor for both Triton programs, as well as coach middle distance runners in the spring semester.
"I am honored to be able to continue to serve our student-athletes here at Iowa Central. I look forward to working with Coach Brown and Coach Bigbee to carry on our championship culture," said Ekel.
Prior to his arrival at Iowa Central, Ekel served as both the head track and field and cross country coach at Graceland University in 2017. He held the same position at Southwestern Community College from 2015-17.
The 'interim' status of each title will be evaluated at the end of 2019 school year to see if the restructuring model has met the needs and expectations of both the coaching staff and ICCC's student-athletes.
Assistants Jordan Burkholder and Justin Anderson will both return for their second seasons, coaching the throwers and sprinters, respectively.