“STICK!”; YODER HANDS OFF COACHING DUTIES TO SMITH

Lindsborg, Kan. – Aaron Yoder, the current longest tenured coach at Bethany College, has announced that he has accepted the Director position with Tabor College. Daylon Smith will be promoted to Interim Head Coach of both Cross Country and Track and Field.

"My time at Bethany College was an amazing journey of growth and discovery as a coach and teacher in the Exercise Science Department," said Yoder. "I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from so many amazing colleagues and coaches. Being at Bethany College has taught me how to be resourceful, creative and resilient. I am so grateful for the leadership that Laura Moreno and Luke Samford gives to the Athletic Department."

As the Head Cross Country Coach for the Swedes, a job he has held since 2013, Yoder has coached two national qualifiers, four All-KCAC top-20 medalist, and the school record in the 6k. The bulk of his accomplishments came on the track and field side, a job he obtained in 2015. As the head track and field coach, Coach Yoder has coached 31 national qualifiers, 15 KCAC champions, 26 school records, five All-Americans, three KCAC Athletes of the Year, and one KCAC conference record. He has also won 18 Team Champion of Character awards between both cross country and track and field.

Dean of Athletics, Laura Moreno, had this to say regarding Coach Yoder's time at Bethany College: "We sincerely thank Coach Yoder for all of his contributions to Bethany College, the Department of Athletics, and the Cross Country/Track and Field programs over his many years leading the Swedes. Coach Yoder exudes character and integrity, and we wish him the best in his next steps!"

But, as one door closes, another one opens. Aaron Yoder will be handing the keys to his current assistant coach Daylon Smith, also known as Coach D, in an interim setting. Coach D has coached at Bethany College for one year, but has made quite an impact on the team and around Bethany College.

"We are excited for Daylon Smith to transition into the role of Interim Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach," said Laura Moreno. "Coach Smith is a proven recruiter and a sharp-minded, up-and-coming coach in the cross country/track and field profession. We look forward to partnering with him and continuing to prepare him to lead our next generation of Swedes!"

Newly-named Head Coach Daylon Smith has spent quite some time in the KCAC. Before Bethany, Coach D spent one year at Southwestern College as a graduate assistant coach for track and field. Smith graduated from Sterling College where he ran track and also helped coach his teammates.

"First and foremost, I would like to thank Coach Yoder for everything he has done for the Swedes in his time here. For building up an outstanding program and helping me in my growth as a coach, I will be forever grateful. I am excited to be leading the Swedes as I believe we are headed in the right direction. I came to Lindsborg with hopes of creating something special at Bethany and I am excited to see what the future looks like. Go Swedes!"

Coach D earned his Associates degree in General Studies at Redland Community College in 2021 and his Bachelor's of Art in Sport Management with a focus in Coaching and Instruction in 2023. He is currently working on his Master's in Organizational Leadership at Southwestern College. Daylon Smith currently resides in Lindsborg, Kan.