Landon Bright completed his second season as Head Cross Country Coach in 2023, having led the Sea Lions in both years to improved finishes at the PacWest Championships and NCAA West Regionals from the season prior.
In his first season at the helm, Bright coached Point Loma to a fifth place finish at the PacWest Championships and 18th place at the NCAA West Regionals. Aubrie Nex earned Third Team All-PacWest honors, with PLNU's entire top-five at both meets being underclassmen.
Then in 2023, Bright's Sea Lions finished fourth at the PacWest Championships before placing 11th at the NCAA West Regionals. Aubrie Nex earned Second Team All-PacWest honors, while Maddie Reeves received Third Team All-PacWest recognition.
Bright returned to Point Loma, his alma mater, in 2021 as the Associate Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track & Field Coach, before being promoted ahead of the 2022 season.
Bright was the head coach of the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams at Bob Jones University since 2013. Bright started both programs at Greenville, SC university. In his eight years as the head coach, Bright guided 16 student-athletes to All-American honors, led the Bruins men's team to five consecutive NCAA championships, and was named the National Coach of the Year six times. He also guided the women's teams to its first-ever national championship in 2020.
"I am excited to be joining the coaching staff and the great tradition of cross country and track & field at Point Loma," said Bright. "It is a unique opportunity to be able to coach at your alma mater and I am looking forward to seeing the program continue to grow. My wife and I both know how special the PLNU community is and we are grateful for this opportunity."
Bright ran for the PLNU cross country and track & field teams from 2005-09. He was an NAIA All-American in cross country in 2008 and an NAIA All-American in track & field in the 10k in 2009. He still sits on four of the Sea Lions all-time top 10 lists.
"Landon Bright, one of the top distance runners in PLNU's long history of quality distance runners, is a great fit for our program and will help lead it forward to a strong future," said Jerry Arvin, head coach of the PLNU cross country and track & field teams. "Landon has always represented PLNU and our mission as a student and graduate with care and love. As a former student-athlete at Point Loma, he already knows what type of young ladies will be a great fit for the university and become athletically successful. Landon and his wife Katie (Browning), who also ran for me, will nurture the next generation of distance runners to bring accolades to PLNU. I am extremely happy and excited to work with Landon."
Before becoming the head coach of Bob Jones University (Greenville, S.C.), Bright served two years as a graduate assistant for Hardin-Simmons University in Texas, where he received his M.S. in Sport and Recreation.Â
"We couldn't be more excited to have Landon Bright return to PLNU," said Hamilton. "He will be a great fit and leader for our student-athletes."
