Coaches
Andy Paul is the recently appointed Head of Athletics. He has worked at UB for 5 years, leading the Athletics Talent Hub as part of the England Athletics Pathway. He previously worked for British Athletics holding a range of roles from community / clubs lead, through to performance development work, including support in areas such as grassroots programmes (Startrack), Youth Talent (AASE) and the Power of 10.
He is a Sprints and Hurdles coach and Life member of Birchfield Harriers. He has supported numerous junior and senior athletes to achieve national success and represent GB, EA, Wales and Scotland internationally - with medals and representation from English Schools to European Junior Champs. More recently he co-hosted the Keely Klassic indoor meet in February 2025, here in the city.
Andy is a University of Birmingham graduate having studied Primry Education at Newman and was a distinctly average 800m runner for a few years!
You'll likely see him at the UB track most sessions (possibly with one or two beagles in tow) but will also utilise the Alexander stadium facility for some part of his technincal programme, throughout the year.
His philosophy is based on supporting athletes to be better tomorrow than they are today - he occasionally comes out with other deep stuff like this!!
Andy also leads the staff EDI network here at the University as well as being the very proud Chair of the Athletics Pride Network here in the UK.
Jade a former International Heptathlete, has now been coaching at the University for 5 years. She has produced multiple BUCS Medallists and England Junior and Senior representatives.
Jade is has been team manager for both England Teams and at the World University Games. Jade is a point-of-contact for the British Athletics Talent Hub and is also lead coach for the Youth Talent Programme.
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Jade leads on recruitment for power-based athletes to the University, across all sprints, jumps and throws events.
Dean is a former London 2012 Paralympian & Birmingham alumnus, who has been coaching for nearly 10 years. He has experience of developing athletes right across the performance pathway. From European medalists. multiple BUCS champions, to athletes picking up athletics at university for the first.
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Dean has also served in various roles for both Great Britain & England teams. Highlights include Team Coach for Paris 2024 Paralympics & Team Manager for GB Students at World Student XC Championships, Oman 2024.
SPRINTS
Mike was a 100/200m runner and is a graduate of University of Birmingham. He raced both Linford Christie and Alan Wells in his time, although (in his own words) it's doubtful that either of GB's Olympic champions noted his presence.
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Mike began his coaching journey in 2003 coaching his daughter, a long jumper and sprinter. From there he started to coach other athletes and has been coaching sprints from 60-400m, hurdles and horizontal jumps.
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Mike has coached national medallists and junior internationals at all sprint distances including relays, as well as sprint hurdles and long jump, and Senior Internationals at 100H and 400m. His underpinning philosophy is to try to help each athlete achieve whatever their individual capabilities will allow, while balancing this with other aspects of their life such as studies, work and family.
Lauren is a recent graduate and has started to coach a sprints group this year, focusing on short sprints.
Throughout her time at the University, she's competed at BUCS and coached at the academy, and decided now it is time to coach the next generation of BUAC.
ENDURANCE
Led by Dean Miller
Jethro is a former University of Birmingham Cross Country Captain and has now been supporting the endurance environment as coach since 2021.
Notably Jethro has helped multiple junior, senior and masters athletes achieve national success and represent their country internationally over all surfaces: track, cross country, fell and road disciplines.
As coach he has been camp lead on several university altitude camps to Font Romeu and in addition has be been selected as Team Coach for England at Junior & Senior Internationals on the Track as well as for GB Students at the 2025 FISU World University Games.
Supporting the university club specifically he has helped both male and female athletes achieve big improvements, run fast and smash their PBs. In addition Jethro has been personal coach to British University medallists and champions across indoor, outdoor & cross country championships.
As a coach you will find him across all university club sessions in the week passionate about; technically moving well; preparing thoughtfully for key races; focussing on the athlete’s development goals and exploring the right balance of training for the individual.
In addition to his university coaching commitments Jethro also supports the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme delivered out of the Birmingham Hub - which focusses on the development of talented athletes age 16-18.
A fan as well as a student of the sport – Jethro still enjoys training and competing for the local BRAT club in endurance events across all surfaces.
Sally has been at hand as an assistant coach over many years at the club, with her daughter Becky successfully coming through the system and gaining international representation during her time at Birmingham.
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Now an established part of the set-up, Sally has been instrumental in many of the club's successes in recent years, particularly on the girls side.
JUMPS & COMBINED EVENTS
Led by Jade Surman
Julian is a British athlete who competes in the long jump and triple jump. He attended Texas A&M univeristy in the United States where he was a 3 -time medallist in the NCAA championships from 2009-2011. He is a 4-time British champion and won a bronze medal at the European Outdoor Championships in the triple jump in 2016.
He has been coaching since 2014 and began to aid with delivering jumps sessions to our athletes since 2017, whilst still competing at an elite level.
THROWS
Led by Mike Bull
Mike Bull
Throws Coach
Mike has been involved with the University of Birmingham Athletics Club for over 25 years, initially looking after Jumps & Combined Events before five years as Head Coach. He returned as Throws Coach in 2022 and has worked with BUCS medallists in Shot, Discus and Javelin… although Hammer is the next target!
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Mike has a wealth of coaching experience and enjoys working with dedicated athletes at all levels to help achieve both their individual and athletic goals. Having completed his Masters in Sports Coaching at Birmingham, he is also keen on supporting any student athletes on their coaching journey.
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As coach he has experience working with both able bodied and para throwers and has been selected as Team Coach for England at Senior Internationals as well as Lead Coach (Throws) for GB Students at the 2025 FISU World University Games.
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In addition to his university coaching commitments Mike supports the England Athletics Talent Programme delivered out of the Birmingham Hub, as well as working as a TASS Personal Development & Lifestyle Practitioner for two of their delivery sites.