Patrick Wales-Dinan’s coaching journey reflects a rare combination of competitive success, athlete mentorship, and academic leadership. From NCAA Division III to Division I and national championships, Wales-Dinan has built a reputation as a coach who consistently elevates athletes to their highest potential.

At Long Beach State, Wales-Dinan transformed the distance program into one of the most successful periods in school history. During his first year alone, his athletes set three school records, earned three NCAA Regional qualifying performances, and collected four All-Conference honors. The distance squads also scored the most conference points by a Long Beach State team in six years, highlighting both depth and consistency.

His influence extended to cross country as well. In the fall of 2013, Wales-Dinan coached Chris Enriquez to an individual berth at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, making him the first 49er to qualify in the modern era. Enriquez’s 10th-place finish at the NCAA West Regional marked the highest regional finish in school history, underscoring Wales-Dinan’s ability to prepare athletes for championship moments.

Before Long Beach State, Wales-Dinan served as an assistant coach at Duke University, where he contributed to the development of NCAA All-Americans, conference champions, and national qualifiers. His athletes earned All-ACC, All-Region, and NCAA Championship appearances, while also maintaining strong academic performance with numerous USTFCCCA All-Academic honors.

Earlier in his career at Williams College, Wales-Dinan played a key role in one of the most dominant eras in program history. He coached 10 All-Americans and a Division III national champion, Jennifer Gossels, who won national titles in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. In 2011, he made history as the first NCAA Division III coach to oversee four national qualifiers in the women’s 10,000 meters in a single season.

In addition to collegiate coaching, Wales-Dinan continues to mentor professional athletes, including Brooks-sponsored runner Rosa Del Toro and elite middle-distance athlete Gabe Hilbert. His ability to guide athletes across all levels of the sport reflects his deep technical knowledge, leadership, and commitment to athlete growth.

Patrick Wales-Dinan’s career is defined not only by records and championships, but by his lasting impact on athletes as competitors, students, and people—making him a truly influential figure in distance running and collegiate athletics.