Landon Bright joined the BJU Bruins staff in June 2013 as the cross country program’s first head coach. Prior to his time at BJU, Bright served as a graduate assistant coach for cross country and track and field at Hardin-Simmons University (TX) while pursing his M.Ed. in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. During his second year at HSU, the men’s cross country team had its highest finish in the program’s history at the American Southwest Conference Championship meet.
Since his arrival, Coach Bright has led the men's cross country team to five NCCAA DII National Championships and has been voted the National Coach of the Year five times. He also led the the women's cross country team to their first NCCAA DII National title in 2020.
Bright began running competitively in high school, followed by a successful career at Point Loma Nazarene University (CA). Bright competed in both cross country and track & field for PLNU, finishing as an All-American at the 2008 NAIA Cross Country Championships and in the 10,000 meters at the 2009 NAIA Track & Field Championships.
Coach Bright’s athletic experience includes serving as the athletic director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam (OR), assistant cross country coach for University City High School (CA), and distance coach for Stars and Stripes Track Camp (OR). Bright is a USATF Certified Level I Coach.
As he leads the program, Coach Bright sees cross country not only as an opportunity to enjoy God’s creation on a daily basis, but also as a platform for ministry, with a focus on intentional discipleship and encouraging each athlete seeks to use his or her gifts and abilities to glorify God.
Coach Bright lives in Greenville with his wife, Katie and their two boys.
College(s) Attended:
Point Loma Nazarene University (2005-2009)
Hardin-Simmons University (2011-2013)
Degree(s) Completed:
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from PLNU (’09)
Master of Education in Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation from HSU (’13)
Coaching Experience:
2013 - present – Bob Jones University – Head Cross Country Coach
2011 - 2013 – Hardin-Simmons University (TX) – Graduate Assistant Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
2010 - 2011 – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam (OR) – Youth Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
2009 – University City High School (CA) – Assistant Cross Country Coach
Hometown:
Damascus, Oregon
