BOISE, Idaho β Former Bronco All-American Marisa Howard is joining the Boise State track and field and cross country staff as an assistant coach following her Olympic debut.
Head coach Pat McCurry on Wednesday announced the three-time Mountain West champion will be back in blue and orange after competing in the women's 3,000-meter chase during the Paris Games. McCurry was named the program's head coach on June 3.
"I am stoked to be joining coach Pat and the incredible staff that he has assembled at Boise State," Howard said. "I'm excited to invest in this next generation of Broncos and see what we can build. I loved being a Bronco and can't wait to show these athletes what a great place Boise is to train!"
Howard became the first female Boise State alum to ever claim a spot on the United States Olympic track and field team by finishing third in the steeplechase final at Hayward Field on June 27. She ran a personal-best time of 9:07.14 to earn bronze in the event.
The Pasco native currently runs for Idaho Afoot, a team of athletes trained by McCurry, who was in Eugene with Howard when she punched her ticket to Paris. Howard joins Valerie Constien and Courtney Wayment on Team USA for the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase.
"Obviously we are thrilled to add an Olympian to our staff, but it was Marisa's character that was at the root of the easy decision to add her," McCurry said. "I'm particularly excited about the mentorship she will provide our women's distance athletes, offering them a daily example of how to maintain health and balance while competing at the highest level."
Howard competed in long distance events for the Broncos between 2010 and 2015. She was a four-time all-conference honoree and the 2014 national runner-up in the steeplechase.
The Team Idaho Olympian's mark of 9:07.14 in the steeplechase final at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials is the world's eighth-fastest time. Since graduating from Boise State, Howard has made all five U.S. championship steeplechase finals she's competed in.
Marisa has guided distance runners for seven season at Rocky Mountain High School with her husband, Jeff, according to Boise State Athletics. The Grizzlies have won four boys cross country state titles and seven track and field state championships since 2017.
Bronco Nation is invited to a send-off celebration for Howard at Dona Larsen Park on Saturday, July 27. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., before Howard runs at 7 p.m. The event includes autograph and photo opportunities with the Paris Olympics competitor.
Live coverage of the first round of the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. MT Sunday, Aug. 4, on Peacock and online via NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com and the NBC and NBC Sports apps. Click here for more information on Howard's schedule and Team Idaho at the Olympics.