Fuller brings familiar name, experience to Central track and field staff

PELLA—Adding yet another staff member with head coaching experience, Aaron Fuller is returning to Central College as assistant men’s and women’s track and field coach.

Fuller has served as head men’s and women’s track and field coach at Simpson College since 2021. A 2014 Central graduate, Fuller returns to take on many of the duties previously held by his father, Jim Fuller, an associate head coach for the Dutch since 2013. Jim Fuller, a nationally recognized multi-events coach, is transitioning to a full-time position as Lecturer of Kinesiology at Central but will continue assisting the track and field program in a lesser role. Aaron Fuller’s mother, Brenda Fuller, is also an assistant coach on the Central staff.

Before taking over at Simpson, Aaron Fuller spent two seasons at Doane College (Neb.), helping the squad tie for the 2021 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championship. He also was an assistant for two seasons at Morningside College.

An Aberdeen, South Dakota native, Fuller received a master’s degree in health and human performance at Fort Hays State (Kan.) in 2016. He was a graduate assistant coach there for two years and then spent a year as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator there.

At Central, Fuller claimed the conference indoor pole vault title in 2012 and received all-conference distinction four times, placing twice in the indoor pole vault and twice in the decathlon. A two-year Dutch co-captain, he was part of five indoor and outdoor championship teams. He is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has USFCCCA Specialist Certification in combined events and multi-events.

“Aaron brings a new energy to the program,” coach Brandon Sturman said. “He also brings a passion for Central because he went to school here. Hopefully he can bring some of that success back to the program that Central had when he was an athlete.”

Since 2001, Central has captured 10 indoor and outdoor men’s and women’s NCAA Division III multi-events titles. Two former Central decathletes, Kurtis Brondyke ’11 and Will Daniels ’19, reached the 2021 U.S. Olympic decathlon team trials.

“I think he’ll be a huge asset to us as far as recruiting, developing and continuing to grow that multi-events culture that we’ve had for so long,” Sturman said.

Fuller becomes the fourth staff member with head track and field coaching experience. Sturman is heading into his sixth season at Central and was head coach at Aurora University (Ill.) for two years. Associate head coach Joe Dunham was Central’s head coach from 2010-18 and continues serving as head men’s and women’s cross country coach. Jim Fuller was head coach at Northern State University (S.D.) for 24 years before coming to Central.

“I think that’s what separates us a little bit,” Sturman said. “It helps when you’re working with the athletes to have someone who’s been a head coach. And it helps me as a head coach because I know how much I can trust them. They’ve all been there and done that. They’re good for feedback and input.”

Fuller begins his new role July 10.