Bob Braman Position: Head Coach (6th season) Alma Mater: University of Florida '80

If two is company and three is a crowd then the trophy cases at Florida State track and field offices are overflowing. The architect the Seminoles' meteoric rise from merely a contender on the national scene to the sport's premier program has been sixth-year head coach Bob Braman.

Last spring Braman did something that no other coach at Florida State has done: win a third national championship as the Seminoles claimed a third NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Not only did Florida State win its third title, it became only the fifth program in NCAA history to win three-straight outdoor titles in a row. For the third year in a row the Seminoles just missed holding both the indoor and outdoor titles as they finished second by just three points at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

As to be expected, bringing home a third-straight Outdoor National Championship earned Braman his third-consecutive USTFCCCA Division I Men's National Outdoor Coach of the Year honors. Braman has been the most decorated coach in the country over the last four seasons as he has received 20 national, regional or conference Coach of the Year accolades since 2005. For his career, Braman has 36 Coach of the Year awards on his mantle.

While the men have been grabbing the headlines, the women's program has not so quietly been moving up the ranks and following the men's blueprint for success. During the indoor season they broke into the top 10 for the first time since 1986 with a sixth-place showing. They continued their upward trend at the Outdoor Championships, taking 12^th.

The number of combined programs across the country that can rival Florida State's success can be counted on one hand. The Seminoles have been in the top four for combined points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships each of the last three years, including the most combined points in 2006. Last season, FSU rated fourth at the Outdoor and Indoor Championships and was third when adding the two meets together.

As the first decade of the new millennium starts to wind down, the men's program is establishing itself as the Team of the Decade. The Seminoles are on the best four-year run of any team in the nation, having finished in the top four of seven out of the last eight NCAA Championships.

Moving beyond the borders of the United States, Florida State had an impact on the track's biggest stage during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. 12 current and former student-athletes competed at the Olympics, highlighted by sprinter Walter Dix who brought home a pair of bronze medals.

For the second year in a row, Florida State brought home over 30 All-America awards from the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Since the baton was passed to Braman in 2004, the Seminoles have won 116 All-America honors, which are more than the last 10 years combined. The two programs brought home seven national championships - the men have had at least four national champions each of the last three seasons - to bring the total during Braman's career to 20.

At the conference level Florida State has been the dominant program in the ACC. The Seminoles had 36 All-ACC athletes last season between the men's and women's championships. During Braman's tenure as coach, his squads have produced 148 All-ACC athletes.

While most of the attention on the track has been paid to the sprinters, Braman's distance coaching acumen has produced some significant results as well. Over the last two years his distance runners have produced 10 top-four finishes at the NCAA Championships, which is more than any distance coach in the country.

Florida State's success has not been limited to the track as Florida State has been one of the top academic programs. Heading up the list of successful Braman student-athletes is Garrett Johnson who will go down as the top student-athlete in school history. Within a year's time he became the second Rhodes Scholar at Florida State ever, and the first student-athlete to earn the honor, and won NCAA Indoor and Outdoor titles in the shot put. His senior year he was named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American of the Year and USTFCCA Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year. Johnson is just one of the many track and field athletes who have been successful in the classroom. Over the last four years, no school has had more men's Academic All-Americans than Florida State's eight.

Florida State set an impressive number of records in 2008. Fourteen men's and women's school records went down during the indoor and outdoor seasons. The Seminoles also set eight ACC marks, five ACC Championship records and a trio of Mike Long Track standards. During Braman's tenure as head coach at FSU, the men have reset 25 records and 13 ACC marks to go along with 15 school and seven league marks on the women's side. The biggest record to fall during Braman's tenure has been the NCAA 200m outdoor mark as Dix crossed the line at the 2007 NCAA East Region Championships with a time of 19.69.

The third NCAA Outdoor National Champion was truly a team effort. Florida State scored points in the sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps and multis. Dix capped one of, if not the greatest, sprint career in NCAA history by winning the 200m for the third time. Freshman Ngoni Makusha brought home the gold in the long jump, breaking the school and Drake Stadium records, with a jump of 8.30m/27-2.75. All told, the Seminoles brought home 11 All-America certificates.

The Indoor National Championship barely eluded FSU for the third year in a row. Without Dix, who was home sick, the Seminoles came within three points of winning their first indoor title. Drew Brunson won the 60m hurdles by three thousandths of a second and freshman Gonzalo Barroilhet surprised most by taking the heptathlon title for the first multis national championship in school history.

On the strength of just three competitors, the women's team jumped all the way to sixth at the NCAA Indoor meet. Hannah England won the mile run and Susan Kuijken captured the 3000m title. Freshman Kim Williams was runner-up in the triple jump to help the women to their best indoor finish since the same showing in 1986.

England was once again on top the medal stand, this time at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Her first-place time of 4:06.19 broke the NCAA Meet, ACC and school records in the 1500m. The women continued their improvement at the outdoor meet by moving up two spots to No. 12. Five different athletes brought home All-America accolades.

The men's program ran its streak of consecutive ACC titles to eight as it won both the indoor and outdoor titles. The Seminoles have won 12 of the last 13 ACC track championships. The eighth title in a row didn't come easy as the Seminoles had their narrowest winning margin in seven years. FSU won four individual titles and the 4x400m relay. There was little question about the indoor championship as the Seminoles came away with six individual victories and won by 55.5 points. Barroilhet was named the Indoor Freshman of the Year and Field Performer of the Year.

The ACC Indoor meet was one of the best for the women in some time as they moved up to third-place. The distance medley relay shattered the conference record on its way to victory while FSU also brought home two individual titles. Williams was tabbed the ACC Indoor Freshman of the Year. She would snag that award during the outdoor season and add ACC Field Performer of the Year honors after winning both the triple and long jumps. Injuries kept the Seminoles from continuing their ascension at the outdoor meet, but their fourth-place finish would run their streak of top-four finishes to six-straight meets.

After leaving LSU in its dust for the first national championship in 2006, the 2007 title was more a testament to the work of the coaching staff. Dix became the first runner since 1969 to win the 100m, 200m and take part in the winning 4x100 relay. Ricardo Chambers brought home a key victory in the 400m, and Andrew Lemoncello and Luke Gunn placed in the steeplechase as part of Florida State's 12 All-America Awards.

On the women's side, Kuijken brought home the women's highest finish at the NCAA Outdoors with a second-place mark in the 1500m as she set the school record. Barbara Parker also set a school record as she came in third in the steeplechase. As a team, FSU finished 14th for the second year in a row.

During the indoor season the men just missed out on capturing their first NCAA title. Dix defended his title in the 200m while Chambers claimed his first NCAA title. The Seminole brought home 11 All-America awards, including Parker who took fourth in the mile run.

The men's supremacy of the ACC meets continued in 2007 as the Seminoles won both the Indoor and Outdoor titles. Braman was named ACC Coach of the Year for both seasons, while Dix took Outdoor Performer of the Year honors and Lemoncello claimed the indoor award. On the women's front, Florida State took third in the outdoor meet and fourth during the indoor championships.

After climbing towards the top during Braman's first two seasons, the men's team reached the pinnacle at the 2006 Outdoor Championships. Backed by three individual champions and 10 All-Americans, FSU won the National Championship. Dix won the 200m for the first time while Johnson won the shot put and Rafeeq Curry took the triple jump. National titles were not limited to the men's side as Lacy Janson won pole vault for the first women's championship since 2002.

During the indoor season the Seminoles finished third on the men's side, behind a 200m title from Dix and Johnson's shot put gold medal. The men tallied six All-America awards to go along with a pair more from the women's side. The women finished 15th, their best finish in over two decades.

Florida State's domination of the conference meet continued during 2006 as the men claimed 14 indoor and outdoor championships on their way to the team titles. Coach of the Year accolades for Braman were accompanied by Indoor Performer of the Year honors for Chambers and the outdoor accolade for Curry. A women's second-place finish during the outdoor season was its best outcome in three seasons. A second-place finish in the steeplechase helped Lydia Willemse earn the Outdoor Freshman of the Year award.

With one full season as head coach under his belt, Braman's effect on the team started to show as the men took fourth at the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Headlining the performance was Dix as he won the 100m title for the Seminoles' first outdoor champion since 1980. The men's team broke into the top 10 at the NCAA Indoor with an eighth-place finish that was the best since 1974. Between the two national meets, the Seminoles brought home 18 All-America honors.

The run of eight-straight ACC titles began in 2005, including the outdoor championship when FSU came within 1.5 points of setting the meet record for points scored. The Seminoles won 16 individual and relay titles. Braman (Coach), Lancashire (Athlete) and Dix (Rookie) doubled up ACC honors in both outdoor and indoor. The women took fourth and sixth at the outdoor and indoor meets, respectively, and Laura Bowerman earned ACC Outdoor Freshman of the Year.

Braman's work came to fruition at the 2004 national meet. Florida State brought home eight All-America awards and tied for 20th. Thanks to a pair of top-five finishes by Vicky Gill and Natalie Hughes, the women finished 16th in the 2004 Indoor NCAA Championships.

The men started the Braman era in style, winning the 2004 Indoor ACC Championships on the strength of seven individual and relay champions. Thanks to a trio of championships from Jason, Gill and Hughes, the women finished in the top three at the ACC outdoor meet.

While Braman is in his sixth season as head track and field coach, he has been an integral part of the program's success since 2000. That season he took over as head cross country coach and assistant track coach. Since his arrival he has transformed Florida State's distance program into one of the best in the region and a force on the national scene.

On the track, Florida State's distance runners have produced 21 All-Americans between the men's and women's programs. Included in this group is Kuijken and Gunn, who is a two-time All-American in the steeplechase after a third-place finish in 2008.

As well as his runners have done on the track, what Braman has done to the cross country programs has been nothing short of outstanding. He has taken an FSU program that has been in the middle of the pack of the ACC and made it a national contender. Four of the five women's All-Americans and the first men's All-American since 1981 have come under his watch.

Before joining the Florida State family, Braman enjoyed 17 years of national success at the University of South Florida where he began his coaching career as a men's cross country assistant in 1983. He was promoted to head coach in 1985 and initiated the women's cross country program in 1987. When USF began its track program in 1991, Braman assumed head coaching duties for that sport as well. Under Braman's guidance, the USF men's cross country team won the last three Conference USA titles (1997, 1998, 2000) while the women's team was the two-time defending Conference USA champion (1998-99).

While at USF, Braman's men's cross country teams also won six-straight conference titles between 1988 and 1993. Braman was honored as Coach of the Year 14 times. His men's cross country teams earned national rankings in 10 of his last 12 years, including a No. 5 national ranking in 1991, while the women's teams were ranked four of his last six years. Braman coached 41 national qualifiers on the track, including two-time NCAA champion Jon Dennis (5000m, 1992 and 1993).

Braman, 50, is married to the former Debbie Turner and has two sons, Steven (20) and Tyler (18). Tyler is a freshman on this year's team. Braman graduated from the University of Florida in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in broadcasting. He was the captain of the Gators' cross country team for three seasons and garnered All-SEC honors in cross country (1979 and 1980) and indoor track (1979). He was also the University of Florida's record holder in the indoor three-mile run.

Braman's FSU Coaching Awards

2006, '07 and '08 NCAA Division I Men's National Outdoor Track Coach of the Year

2005, '06 and '07 NCAA East Region Men's Outdoor Track Coach of the Year

2005, '06 and '07 NCAA South Region Men's Indoor Track Coach of the Year

2004 and '05 NCAA South Region Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year

2006 and '07 NCAA South District Men's Outdoor Track Coach of the Year

2005, '06 and '07 ACC Men's Outdoor Track Coach of the Year

2005, '06 and '07 ACC Men's Indoor Track Coach of the Year

2003 ACC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year

Coaching Resume

Tampa Catholic High School

Head Cross Country Coach 1981-1983

University of South Florida

Asst. Cross Country Coach 1983-1985

Head Cross Country Coach 1985-1999

Head Track and Field Coach 1992-2000

Florida State

Head Cross Country Coach 2000-present

Asst. Track and Field Coach 2001-2003

Head Track and Field Coach 2004-present

FSU Team Accomplishments as Head Coach

2006, 2007 and 2008 Men's NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Champions

ACC Indoor Track Champions: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

ACC Outdoor Track Champions: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

NCAA East Region Outdoor Track Champions: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Top Athletes Coached

Jon Dennis (USF) 1991-1993

1992 and 1993 NCAA 5,000m Champion

Personal Record: 5K -- 13:46, 10K -- 28:52, Steeplechase -- 8:42

Jan-Erik Salo (USF) 1998-2000

NCAA All-American

Personal Record: Steeplechase -- 8:39

Dror Vaknin (USF) 1987-1991

1991 NCAA 10,000m Finalist

Personal Record: 10K -- 29:08

John Bowden (USF) 1989-1993

1992 NCAA 1500m Finalist

Personal Record: 1500m -- 3:39

Minna Rasimus (USF) 1995-1999

NCAA Region Cross Country Champion

Three-time NCAA Qualifier

Personal Record: 5000m -- 16:16

Maria Otto (USF) 1996-1999

NCAA 10,000m Qualifier

Personal Records: 5000m -- 16:34, 10,000m -- 34:09

Joep Tigchelaar (FSU) 2001-2004

2003 NCAA All-American in 10,000m

Personal Records: 5K -- 13:45, 10K -- 28:33

Vicky Gill (FSU) 2001-2004

2004 NCAA 10,000m Runner-up

Five-time All-American

Personal Records: 1500m -- 4:20, 5K -- 15:42, 10K -- 32:41

Natalie Hughes (FSU) 2001-2006

2006 NCAA Indoor Mile Runner-up

Seven-time All-American

Personal Record: 1500m -- 4:15

Tom Lancashire (FSU) 2003-07

2006 NCAA 1500m Runner-up

Four-time All-American

Seven-time ACC Champion

Personal Record: 1500m -- 3:38, 800m -- 1:45

Rachel Evjen (FSU) 2003-2004

NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Qualifier

Personal Records: 5K -- 16:19, 10K -- 34:01

Helen Hofstede (FSU) 2003-2004

2003 NCAA Region Steeplechase Champion

Personal Records: 1500m -- 4:20, Steeplechase -- 10:09

Andrew Lemoncello (FSU) 2004-07

2007 NCAA Steeplechase Runner-Up

Four-time All-American

10-time ACC Champion

Personal Records: 5K -- 13:45, 10K -- 28:32, Steeplechase -- 8:23

Barbara Parker (FSU) 2005-07

2007 Steeplechase Third Place

Personal Record: Steeplechase - 9:48.82

Susan Kuijken (FSU) 2007

2007 1500m Runner-Up

Personal Record: 1500m - 4:11

Luke Gunn (FSU) 2007-08

2008 Steeplechase Third Place

Two Time All-American

Personal Best: Steeplechase - 8:28, 3000m-- 7:53