GREENSBORO, December 14, 2011 - North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl Hilton accepted the resignation of Tony Veney as the school's Director of Track and Field Programs, today. Effective immediately, longtime assistant James Daniels will serve as the program's acting director until a permanent replacement is appointed. North Carolina A&T will begin a national search for the position this spring.

Daniels has coached sprinters and hurdlers at N.C. A&T since 2001. Twenty-six school records in sprint or hurdle events have fallen during his tenure. Also during his 10-year span, the Aggies won 28 MEAC Championships in either a sprint or a hurdle event. Sixteen of those championships came during the outdoor season.

In addition, he has coached seven relay teams to either MEAC indoor or outdoor titles.

Athletes have also experienced a few firsts under Daniels' tutelage. Alexandria Spruiel (400m) and hurdler Loreal Smith were the first two female All-Americans in school history, earning the honors during both track seasons in 2009. On the men's side, he coached Calesio Newman to three straight 100 meter MEAC Championships, and Newman, who recently competed in the Pan Am Games, became the first Aggie to be named to a USATF National Team.

"While we were looking forward to utilizing coach Veney's vast experience in track and field to elevate our track and field programs and events, we understand and respect the personal decision he had to make for he and his family," said Hilton. "We as a university family, wish him all the best in his future endeavors. As the track and field indoor and outdoor seasons approach, our goal and mission continues to be one of providing the best platform for our student-athletes to prosper academically and athletically. We trust coach Daniels can provide the type of leadership necessary to ensure a smooth transition, while still keeping the team competitive throughout the year."  

Veney's hiring was announced on July 1, 2011. Veney's previous coaching positions included stops at UCLA, Portland State, the University of Oregon and Cal State Los Angeles. Prior to coming to N.C. A&T, Veney was the head track and field coach at Ventura Community College.

The Aggies indoor season begins with a two day event, January 12-13, at Virginia Tech. The indoor season will roll into the outdoor season, which begins the weekend of March 16-17 at Wake Forest University.