General 4/7/2025 8:38:00 AM Catherine SanMiguel

New Faces in Mustang Athletics

Silver City, New Mexico – Western New Mexico Athletics is excited to announce the addition of three new assistant coaches to three different teams! These talented professionals bring experience, passion, and dedication to helping our athletes achieve their full potential. Each coach was carefully selected for their expertise and commitment to fostering a positive, supportive environment. We are confident that their leadership will inspire growth on and off the field. Please join us in welcoming Coach Sandra Glover, Coach Jerry Hulla, and Coach Rahsaan Laurel as they embark on this exciting journey with us!

    Sandra Glover

"Coach Sandra Glover began her tenure at Western New Mexico University in February 2025, when Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach Macario Campos appointed her as the Sprints, Hurdles, Jumps, and Mid-Distance Coach. Prior to joining the Mustangs, Glover served as Assistant Coach at the University of Houston from 2019 to 2024.

During her time at Houston, Glover coached Kelly Ann Beckford, who set both the UH Indoor school record and the Big 12 Indoor record in the 800 meters with a time of 2:00.99. She also guided Beckford to become a two-time Indoor Second Team All-American and a First Team All-American in the Women's Indoor and Outdoor 4x100m Relay. Another standout athlete coached by Glover was Sydni Townsend, who broke the UH school record in the 400m hurdles with a time of 55.00, surpassing Glover's record set in 1991.

Additionally, Glover coached athletes who set multiple records, including the UH Women's 4x400m Indoor Relay record at 3:28.28, which placed 3rd at the 2024 Indoor NCAA Track Championships. This relay also set the Big 12 Indoor Conference record at 3:29.42. Glover's athletes were also instrumental in setting the UH Women's 4x400m Outdoor record at 3:24.73, earning 5th place at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She also coached athletes who set the UH Men's Outdoor school record in the 800 meters at 1:47.58.

Before her coaching career, Glover was an Olympian in the 400m Hurdles at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She earned the Silver Medal in the 400m Hurdles at the 2003 World Track and Field Championships in Paris and the Bronze Medal at the 2005 World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki. She was also a finalist in the 400m Hurdles at the 1999 and 2001 World Championships in Seville and Edmonton. In 2023, Glover was inducted into the University of Houston Hall of Fame. She is an alumnus of the University of Houston, graduating in 1993."

    Jerry Hulla

"Jerry Hulla brings over 30 years of coaching experience to Western New Mexico, including NCAA Division I & II, NJCAA, international competition, and high-level club programs. He joined the Mustangs after a successful run as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Texas A&M International, where his athletes rewrote the record books and the program saw major improvements in wins, academics, and player development.

Prior to TAMIU, Hulla coached at Bemidji State (NSIC), Towson, Central Arkansas, and Louisiana-Monroe. At every stop, he trained record-setting players, including All-Americans, conference leaders, and AVCA award-winners. His coaching focus includes setters, liberos, and defensive specialists, as well as team systems on both sides of the ball.

As a head coach at the NJCAA level, Hulla led CCBC-Catonsville to multiple undefeated conference seasons, national tournament appearances, and top-10 rankings. His coaching efforts earned him multiple regional and district Coach of the Year honors.

Hulla's resume also includes international experience—serving as head coach at the European Global Challenge in Croatia, working with USA Volleyball's High-Performance pipeline, and coaching on the U.S. Men's and Disabled National Teams. His international athletes have earned global recognition for their performance.
He holds a CAP Level IV certification and a B.S. in Information Systems Management from UMBC. Known for his technical expertise, player development skills, and recruiting savvy, Hulla adds serious depth to the Mustangs' coaching staff."

    Rahsaan Laurel

"Coach Rahsaan Laurel began his tenure at Western New Mexico University in March 2025, when Head Football Coach Billy Hickman appointed him as the Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach for the Mustangs. Prior to joining Western New Mexico, Laurel served as the Defensive Quality Control Coach at Yale University (CT) from 2023 to 2024. During his time at Yale, he played a key role in coaching two All-Conference cornerbacks and an All-American safety, contributing to the team's victory in the 2023 Ivy League Championship.

Before his tenure at Yale, Laurel spent two years at Oberlin College (OH), where he was promoted to Defensive Backs Coach and Pass Game Coordinator from 2021 to 2023. While at Oberlin, he coached an All-Conference safety. Laurel's coaching career also includes time at Robert Morris University, where he worked as a Quality Control Coach and helped develop an All-Conference center. His coaching journey began at Hocking Community College in 2019, where he served as the Passing Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach.

Laurel started his coaching career at the high school level after graduating from Bowling Green State University in 2016. From 2016 to 2018, he was a Defensive Assistant Coach at Bowling Green High School, including serving as the Defensive Coordinator for the junior varsity team."

With their leadership, we're confident that we are set to build a strong, united team ready to take on the challenges ahead. Mustang Athletics looks forward to an exciting season of growth and achievement!

This announcement is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!

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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube & Instagram).

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