Former ISU Coach, Jerry Quiller, Passes Away
Quiller helped turn ISU track and field program around and served as a mentor to current coach Dave Nielsen
POCATELLO, Idaho - Former Idaho State track and field coach Jerry Quiller, has passed away after fighting a battle against multiple myeloma. He was 69.
Coach Quiller started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Colorado State University and became an assistant with CU in 1970, holding that position for four years. In 1974 he took over the reigns as a head coach at Wayne (Mich.) State. After two seasons he returned to CSU (1976-80) before heading to Idaho State (1980-85). Quiller then took over the program at CU in 1985, replacing David Troy. He coached the Buffs until 1995 when he landed his final coaching post at Army (1995-2008).
While at ISU, Quiller took the Bengals from sixth in Big Sky cross country in 1979, the year before he arrived, to the league championship and a second-place District VII finish in 1981. Under his tutelage, Greg Burrell earned All-American recognition in the 1981 season.
After leading the cross country team to back-to-back titles in 1981-82 and leading the indoor track and field team to a conference title, Quiller was named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year. He was also named NCAA District VII Track Coach of the Year in 1982. Quiller took the outdoor track and field team from a sixth-place finish to second place in just two seasons.
His excellence in coaching earned him a selection as the coach of the 1982 American international cross country team and a trip to Rome.
Most importantly, Quiller served as a mentor for ISU’s current head track and field coach, Dave Nielsen. Nielsen served as an assistant coach under Quiller before Nielsen was named the head women’s coach in 1984 while Quiller led the men. Nielsen was handed the reins to both programs in 1986 when Quiller left Idaho State.
“Coach Q was a mentor to so many of us,” ISU Head Coach Dave Nielsen said. “He led by his example, style and attitude. In this sad time, it is nice to know his leadership will continue on.”
Quiller, a Fort Collins, Colo. native lettered in cross country, track and field and baseball at Fort Collins High School. He was a member of the Colorado State track and field team, graduating in 1964 with a bachelor's of science degree in physical science. He earned his master's in education in 1966, also from CSU. He was born on April 28, 1942 in Denver. He and his wife, Sandy, had three sons, Ryan, Rory and Robb, who were all pole vaulters.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Quiller helped turn ISU track and field program around and served as a mentor to current coach Dave Nielsen
POCATELLO, Idaho - Former Idaho State track and field coach Jerry Quiller, has passed away after fighting a battle against multiple myeloma. He was 69.
Coach Quiller started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Colorado State University and became an assistant with CU in 1970, holding that position for four years. In 1974 he took over the reigns as a head coach at Wayne (Mich.) State. After two seasons he returned to CSU (1976-80) before heading to Idaho State (1980-85). Quiller then took over the program at CU in 1985, replacing David Troy. He coached the Buffs until 1995 when he landed his final coaching post at Army (1995-2008).
While at ISU, Quiller took the Bengals from sixth in Big Sky cross country in 1979, the year before he arrived, to the league championship and a second-place District VII finish in 1981. Under his tutelage, Greg Burrell earned All-American recognition in the 1981 season.
After leading the cross country team to back-to-back titles in 1981-82 and leading the indoor track and field team to a conference title, Quiller was named Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year. He was also named NCAA District VII Track Coach of the Year in 1982. Quiller took the outdoor track and field team from a sixth-place finish to second place in just two seasons.
His excellence in coaching earned him a selection as the coach of the 1982 American international cross country team and a trip to Rome.
Most importantly, Quiller served as a mentor for ISU’s current head track and field coach, Dave Nielsen. Nielsen served as an assistant coach under Quiller before Nielsen was named the head women’s coach in 1984 while Quiller led the men. Nielsen was handed the reins to both programs in 1986 when Quiller left Idaho State.
“Coach Q was a mentor to so many of us,” ISU Head Coach Dave Nielsen said. “He led by his example, style and attitude. In this sad time, it is nice to know his leadership will continue on.”
Quiller, a Fort Collins, Colo. native lettered in cross country, track and field and baseball at Fort Collins High School. He was a member of the Colorado State track and field team, graduating in 1964 with a bachelor's of science degree in physical science. He earned his master's in education in 1966, also from CSU. He was born on April 28, 1942 in Denver. He and his wife, Sandy, had three sons, Ryan, Rory and Robb, who were all pole vaulters.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
