Oilers Track Hires Maag
Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay athletic department has announced that it has hired Blaine Maag to the Oilers track and field coaching staff. Maag will begin his role as assistant coach on Monday, Nov. 14. He will be responsible for the majority of the program's recruiting efforts and will also be in charge of the team's throwers.
"Blaine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Findlay", said University of Findlay Athletic Director Brandi Laurita. "He has roots in Findlay and in the GLIAC and has proven himself at the national level in both Division I and Division II. We are excited to again have him as a member of the Oiler family and believe he will help our already successful track and field program reach new heights."
Maag graduated in 2010 from Ashland University where he was a member of four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) championship teams and was twice named all-American.
From Ashland, Maag landed here in Findlay where he was a graduate assistant for one full season. In that one year, he coached seven national meet qualifiers and three all-Americans. One of those all-Americans was Derrick Vicars, whom Maag is replacing. While at Findlay, Maag was able to learn under head coach Marc Arce, now in his 29th year as head track and field coach.
"Blaine's addition will continue a strong lineage of quality throws coaches at UF, which has seen numerous national champions and All-Americans. Blaine has coached athletes of this caliber and won't miss a step", commented Arce.
After his first stint in Findlay, Maag went north to Allendale where he was a throws coach at Grand Valley State University for two seasons. As a Laker, he coached 35 national meet qualifiers, 20 NCAA Division II all-Americans, and seven national champions. Thanks in large part to the throwing events, the Grand Valley State women's team was able to capture both indoor and outdoor team national championships in 2012. The following year, Maag was named the 2013 men's indoor and women's outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year.
East Lansing was Maag's next stop as he made his mark with the Michigan State Spartan track and field team in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. At MSU, he coached one Big Ten Freshman of the Year, four Big Ten champions, and two athletes who broke Big Ten Championship records. He also oversaw 14 NCAA DI all-Americans including three who were named first team.
Arce is excited for the hire and has high hopes for Maag. "Long term it is my hope that this will be his final stop on what has been a very successful career thus far."