A nationwide search for 51’s new Track & Field and Cross Country head coach came to a conclusion when Sean Henning accepted the position.

Henning is set to begin his new post June 22, taking over for Interim Head Coach Bill Crumley. He comes to the Eagles following five seasons at California Baptist University, a member of the PacWest Conference in the NCAA Division II.

“Sean’s background as a coach, both at the high school and college level, provides the experience we are looking for,” said Athletic Director Dr. Dave Holmquist. “We were also impressed in the interview by his spiritual maturity and leadership qualities. As a competitor who just completed his college running career under 10 years ago, he has a good understanding of the academic and training challenges his student-athletes will face.”

During his time at CBU, Henning served a majority of his tenure as the lead assistant coach, with a brief stint as the Interim Head Coach in 2011-12. The 51 position becomes his first full-time head coaching position at the collegiate level.

“I am very excited to take over the cross country and track & field program at 51,” said Henning. “I am very familiar with the success these programs have had in the past, and I only hope to build upon the foundation that has already been laid. I really hope to be a strong spiritual mentor to the student-athletes at 51 and to help them grow as Christ-followers and as student-athletes.”

His coaching philosophy includes six key elements: Honor and praise God in all we do; Be passionate and love what we do; Have a clear identity and direction in our program; Be committed to the team concept and buy in to the program; Strive for perfection in all we do; Be committed to servant leadership.

Henning was on the coaching staff as the CBU men’s cross country team won back-to-back-to-back –to-back PacWest Championships in cross country during its first four years in the conference. The women’s contingent also won two titles and had two other top-3 finishes in that span. The 2014 men’s team qualified for the NCAA National Meet in its first eligible season and placed 24th in the nation.

Leading up to being postseason eligible in the NCAA, the CBU Track & Field program had 23 student-athletes earn NCCAA All-American honors and six individuals won NCCAA National Championships. In the team’s first season of NCAA postseason eligibility four Lancers qualified for the NCAA National Meet and Henning coached Veronica Hall to the school’s first-ever NCAA All-American finish (7th in the 1,500).

“I am really looking forward to helping this team transition to the NCAA Division II level, as I am very familiar with it and understand how to bridge the gap between the two divisions,” said Henning.

Prior to his time with the Lancers, Henning spent just under two years as the head coach of Western Christian High School’s track & field and cross country programs. During his time at Western Christian, Henning led his team to back-to-back Christian League Championships and undefeated seasons in 2009 and 2010. After winning the league championship in cross country in 2009, Western Christian finished fifth in the CIF Southern Section finals and eighth in the California State Cross Country Championships. Henning led his team to a league championship in track and field in 2010, coaching nine league champions and had 13 athletes qualify for the CIF Southern Section Championships.

Henning is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University, where he ran cross country and made two NAIA National Track & Field Championships appearances running the marathon. In 2013 he attained his Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia-Irvine. He also has USA Track & Field Level I and Level II Certification in endurance events.

He and his wife, Megan, were married in 2010 and have one child together.