Justin Clickett Tabbed as New Throws Coach
9/15/2025 3:36:00 PM | Track and Field
Clickett brings seven seasons of collegiate coaching experience to Wake Forest.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With seven years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, as well as previous championship experience as a former student-athlete, Wake Forest Director of Track and Field and Cross Country John Hayes has announced the addition of Justin Clickett to his staff as throws coach.
"I am very excited to welcome Justin, Ashleigh, Audrey and Olivia to Wake Forest," Hayes said. "We have found a great coach that happens to be a great leader of character to lead our throws group."
Clickett joins the Demon Deacons after spending the last two seasons as the throws coach with Marshall. During his time with the Thundering Herd, Clickett coached several top five marks in school history and multiple top-10 finishers at the Sun Belt Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships, including a second place finish by Rebecca Merritt in the discus throw during the 2024 meet. Rebecca's performances qualified her for the NCAA first round in discus and hammer. Clickett also coached John Purvis to a new shot put school record and Merritt to a SBC podium finish in the weight throw during the 2025 indoor meet.
Prior to Marshall, Clickett had a five year stretch as University of Charleston's throwing coach. The team's 2023 season was one of the most successful to date, as Clickett coached the MEC Indoor and Outdoor Champions in shot put, weight throw and discus. He also led 10 other athletes to placement during the campaign.
In total during his time with the Golden Eagles, Clickett coached seven NCAA Provisional Qualifiers, 13 Conference champions, 12 Conference runner-ups and 38 All-Conference performances, with new school records in the men's shot put, women's shot put, men's hammer, men's weight and men's javelin.
In addition to his seven years of coaching experience, Clickett also brings championship experience as a former All-American at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a bachelor's degree in business management in 2008.
As a thrower for the Hokies, he earned four All-American honors and won an ACC title in the shot put. He was also accomplished in the discus and weight throw with multiple ACC top three finishes.
Clickett currently holds Virginia Tech and Pitt – where he began his collegiate career – records in the shot put. He trained several years post collegiately and achieved a ninth place finish at the 2010 USATF outdoor nationals. He is also a USATF level 2 Throws Coach.
Clickett's Coaching Timeline
"I am very excited to welcome Justin, Ashleigh, Audrey and Olivia to Wake Forest," Hayes said. "We have found a great coach that happens to be a great leader of character to lead our throws group."
Clickett joins the Demon Deacons after spending the last two seasons as the throws coach with Marshall. During his time with the Thundering Herd, Clickett coached several top five marks in school history and multiple top-10 finishers at the Sun Belt Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships, including a second place finish by Rebecca Merritt in the discus throw during the 2024 meet. Rebecca's performances qualified her for the NCAA first round in discus and hammer. Clickett also coached John Purvis to a new shot put school record and Merritt to a SBC podium finish in the weight throw during the 2025 indoor meet.
Prior to Marshall, Clickett had a five year stretch as University of Charleston's throwing coach. The team's 2023 season was one of the most successful to date, as Clickett coached the MEC Indoor and Outdoor Champions in shot put, weight throw and discus. He also led 10 other athletes to placement during the campaign.
In total during his time with the Golden Eagles, Clickett coached seven NCAA Provisional Qualifiers, 13 Conference champions, 12 Conference runner-ups and 38 All-Conference performances, with new school records in the men's shot put, women's shot put, men's hammer, men's weight and men's javelin.
In addition to his seven years of coaching experience, Clickett also brings championship experience as a former All-American at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a bachelor's degree in business management in 2008.
As a thrower for the Hokies, he earned four All-American honors and won an ACC title in the shot put. He was also accomplished in the discus and weight throw with multiple ACC top three finishes.
Clickett currently holds Virginia Tech and Pitt – where he began his collegiate career – records in the shot put. He trained several years post collegiately and achieved a ninth place finish at the 2010 USATF outdoor nationals. He is also a USATF level 2 Throws Coach.
Clickett's Coaching Timeline
- Wake Forest, Assistant Coach (Throws): 2025-Present
- Marshall, Assistant Coach (Throws): 2023-25
- University of Charleston, Assistant Coach (Throws): 2018-23
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