Derrick Eure is a pivotal figure in the Charlotte 49ers track and field program, currently in his fourth season dedicated to honing the skills of the team’s hurdlers. His impact has been immediately felt, contributing to a period of sustained success for the 49ers, particularly in hurdle events.
In the 2020 indoor season, Eure’s coaching prowess was evident when Justin Leaston secured a bronze medal in the 60H at the Conference USA Indoor Championships. This achievement played a significant role in the men’s team clinching a conference victory, highlighting Eure’s ability to develop high-performing athletes.
The period since Eure joined the 49ers has been marked by dominance in women’s hurdles. The team has achieved back-to-back conference championships in both the women’s indoor 60-meter hurdles and outdoor 100-meter hurdles in 2018 and 2019. This consistent success underscores Eure’s effective coaching methodologies and his ability to inspire athletes to peak performance.
The 2019 season further solidified Eure’s reputation as an exceptional hurdles coach. He guided three athletes – Kyra Atkins, Brent Carroll, and Anthony Richardson – to qualify for the prestigious USATF Indoor Championships. Kyra Atkins delivered a standout performance, finishing fifth in the 60m hurdles and setting a new school record in the preliminary race with an impressive time of 8.12. Atkins continued her record-breaking form in the outdoor season, setting a school record in the 100m hurdles at the Virginia Grand Prix with a time of 13.16. Both Atkins and Richardson also achieved qualification for the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds in 2019, showcasing the breadth of Eure’s coaching impact across multiple athletes.
Eure’s return to his alma mater followed a successful stint as the head coach at Z. B. Vance High School in Charlotte, N.C., from 2013 to 2015. During his tenure at Vance, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to identify and nurture talent, with 27 of his student-athletes receiving offers to compete in track and field at Division I schools. This achievement speaks volumes about his coaching acumen and his commitment to athlete development.
His coaching journey began in 2012 at his former high school, Hopewell, where he served as an assistant coach working with sprinters and hurdlers. Even in his inaugural season, Eure’s influence was apparent as he mentored Cheyenne Hutchinson and Chandler Chase, both of whom qualified for the NCHSAA 4A State Championships. Hutchinson and Chase went on to have successful college careers at East Carolina University, earning All-American Conference honors and achieving NCAA East Regional qualifying marks in their respective events, further testament to Eure’s early coaching impact.
Eure’s own athletic career at Charlotte was exemplary, embodying the ideal of a student-athlete. He was honored with the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award by the NCAA, recognizing his achievements in academics and community involvement alongside his athletic pursuits. As a runner, he claimed the 400-meter hurdles outdoor A-10 championship in 2010. In 2009, he secured third place in the 400m hurdles at the outdoor A-10 Championship and was a member of the victorious A-10 indoor distance-medley championship team. His accomplishments in 2008 include a third-place finish at the A-10 indoor championships in the 400m hurdles and anchoring the shuttle hurdle relay team that set a school record.
A native of Cornelius, N.C., Derrick Eure graduated from Charlotte in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in history. His comprehensive experience as an athlete and a coach, combined with his educational background, provides a strong foundation for his continued success in developing top-tier hurdlers at Charlotte 49ers track and field.
