Michael Rheams is starting his fifth season with the Southeastern track and field program/
He stepped into the role of interim head coach in the fall of 2022, succeeding Head Coach
Corey Mistretta.
Rheams has served as the Head Short Sprints/Jumps coach and Assistant Track and
Field coach from 2017 to 2022.
In his five years with Track and Field at Southeastern Louisiana University, Rheams has
helped build the Lions into a competitive and championship-winning program.
Throughout his successful career, he has helped steer the Lions to four Southland
Conference Championships including seasons: 2019, 2020, 2021 (Indoor), 2021
(Outdoor).
Coach Rheams has also coached numerous conference champions including Slavko
Stevic (2020, 2021, 2022) and Brian Donna (2018).
In addition, he’s trained nationally recognized athletes such as Slavko Stevic (2021,
2022) and Rodney Ruffin (2021, 2018).
Rheams is certified by the USTFCCCA in Strength & Conditioning and certified as a
Jumping Event Specialist. He has also completed coursework in Weight Training for
Track & Field. In 2023, Rheams earned a Level 1 Coach Certificate from USA Weightlifting.
Rheams is a native of Walker, LA who started as the assistant coach for the Women’s
Track and Field team at Nicholls State University overseeing jumps and throws.
Through his experiences, Rheams gained invaluable skills in leadership, management
and development. He applied the skills he gained through a holistic approach at Walker
High School as a paraprofessional, Head Coach for the Girls Varsity track and field
team, and the Boys basketball squad.
Prior to coaching, Rheams competed as a decorated athlete. He is a 2 X Southland
Conference Champion in the triple jump (2008, 2009) and earned ALL-SLC Honors
three times in his career. He advanced to compete on the National stage for the NCAA
three times in the long and triple jump. He has excelled in track and field, receiving
All-Louisiana twice.
Rheams has earned a Bachelor's degree in General Studies with a concentration
in Communication and Business from Southeastern Louisiana University. He also holds
a minor in Mass Communication.
He will soon complete a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Concordia
University.
Rheams is the loving father of a son named Kameron and a daughter named Karsyn.
