Alan Joseph, who coached 18 All-Americans and two Olympians during a 20+ year career leading the Xavier rifle program, has been named head rifle coach at Morehead State.
"I am very excited to be joining the MSU Athletics family," Joseph said. "A great foundation is already in place. I plan to use my expertise and enthusiasm to continue the development of the program. We have a lot to look forward to."
Joseph, who led Xavier from its inception as an NCAA program in 1982 until its affiliation was discontinued in 2005, guided the Musketeers to 14 consecutive top-10 finishes. His teams finished among the NCAA's final four every year from 2000-03. He continued to lead Xavier as a club program until it was disbanded in 2008.
He led the Musketeers to the NCAA Air Rifle National Championship in 1996 and coached Karyn Juziuk to the NCAA Smallbore Title in 1998. Xavier student-athletes competed at the NCAA Championship 18 consecutive seasons.
"After talking with Alan at great length, it became apparent he was the right person for the job," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Richard Fletcher, who led the search committee. "He built Xavier's program from the ground up to a perennial championship team, and the way he accomplished it suggested his model could work here at Morehead State. It's not every day an institution gets the opportunity to add a national championship coach to the staff, but that was accomplished here. I look for bright things from this program."
Joseph coached at least one All-American for 16 straight seasons (1990-2005). Jason Parker competed in four Olympic Games, while Thrine Kane represented the United States at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia.
Joseph founded the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) in 1994 and served as the organization's first president. He served on the NCAA Rifle Committee from 1993-99 and helped Xavier become a founding member of the Great American Rifle Conference in 1997.
Joseph was named CRCA National Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2003 and was the recipient of National Rifle Association Coach of the Year honors in 1991 and 2001.
He competed collegiately at Xavier from 1976-80 and began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater from 1980-82.
Joseph has been a member of the Ohio Pistol and Rifle Association since 1981 and has served as vice president of operations since 2007. He earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1980 and received a master's degree in American history from Xavier in 1984.
