Stevenson was hired as the assistant track and field coach in November. He coaches the sprinters, jumpers, relays and hurdlers.
During his first few months on the job, Stevenson guided Mikel Smith to the silver in the high jump at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. As the underdog at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, he led Smith to SMU’s first and only National Champion.
Smith is SMU’s and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference only high jumper to jump over 7-feet. His winning height was 7-1, which he cleared on his first attempt breaking his own school record of 6-11 3/4 set in 2015.
"We are very excited to welcome Coach Stevenson to our program,” said Brewer at the time of his hiring. “He stood out in the large pool of candidates that applied for the position as the assistant track & field coach for Saint Martin’s. Kyle, is a very knowledgeable, technical coach. His expertise in the sprints, jumps, and relays will be a great addition to our team. Stevenson had an extremely successful running career that took him around the world. He competed in Brazil, Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean. His personality allows him to connect well with the athletes both on and off the track. He has already had a very positive immediate impact on our athletes."
Stevenson joined SMU from East Tennessee State where he helped his team finish third on the women’s side both indoor and outdoor at the Southern Conference Championships. While coaching some of the women sprinters and hurdlers three school records were set in the indoor 60m hurdles (8.29), outdoor 100m meters (11.65) and 100 meter hurdles (13.35). The 100m hurdle race was a Southern Conference record. In addition, he helped the men place third in the SoCON Championships.
“It was bittersweet for me to leave my family and ETSU behind in Tennessee, but Saint Martin’s was definitely the right choice, and I couldn't be more excited to work with my new staff and student-athletes,” said Stevenson at the time of his hiring. “Everyone here (Saint Martin’s) has made me feel welcome and right at home.”
The Memphis, Tennessee native got his start in coaching with stops at Austin East High School and Hardin Valley Academy. At Austin East, the boys 4x100 team placed fourth at the 2011 TSSAA State Championship – the team’s first appearance at state in over five years.
Stevenson graduated from University of Tennessee where he was a two-time All American. He walked onto the team as a freshman and eventually became team captain and All-American as part of the 4x100 relay team in 2007 and 2008. During the summer of 2007, Stevenson joined Team USA for the Junior Pan American Team where he competed in the 200 (placing 4th) and the 4x1 (placing 1st). He was also a seven-time scorer at the SEC Championship in four different events and helped the 4x100 team claim the SEC title in 2007 and finish runner-up in 2008. His personal best in the 60m is 6.68, 100m is 10.29w, and 200m is 20.76. His fastest 4x1 relay time was 38.88 beating notable athletes.
In high school the sprinter established records in the 400m with a time of 48.44 and also defended his 200m state championship in 2006. With these accomplishments, Stevenson became only the sixth athlete to win the 200m state title twice.
Stevenson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in sports management from Tennessee in 2010 and went on to receive a Master of Science degree in kinesiology – with a focus on sports psychology and motor behavior – from UT in 2011.
