Andrea Blackett has been appointed as the third head coach for the Rice University women’s track and field and cross country program, effective July 1, following the retirement of longtime head coach Jim Bevan, according to a May 12 announcement by Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland.
Blackett, a 1997 Rice graduate and one of the university’s most decorated student-athletes, returns to lead her alma mater after serving this season as associate head coach. She follows in the footsteps of her mentors Victor Lopez (1980-2005) and Bevan (2005-2026), becoming only the third person to hold this position in program history.
McClelland said, “Andrea Blackett represents everything that is great about Rice Athletics: excellence, integrity, competitive greatness, and a deep commitment to the development of student-athletes. As one of the most accomplished student-athletes in the history of Rice University, Andrea has built a remarkable coaching career at the collegiate level while continuing to impact young people in a meaningful way. Her experience, leadership, and championship pedigree make her the ideal person to lead our women’s track & field and cross country program into its next era. It is especially meaningful to see a former Rice Owl return to lead the program that helped shape her journey, and I could not be more excited for Andrea, our student-athletes, and the future of this program.”
Blackett said she was “deeply honored” by her appointment: “Our program has a long-standing tradition of excellence both academically and athletically… Succeeding two head coaches like Victor Lopez and Jim Bevan is truly humbling. I have tremendous respect for everything they have both accomplished… I am eager to keep on working with our student-athletes… as we continue striving for excellence on the track/field, in the classroom, and in life.”
Bevan praised his successor: “Andrea is a sterling example of a great coach… She is one of the greatest athletes in Rice history… Andrea’s extensive coaching experience… will enable her to flourish with our program.” Additional support came from former coaches Victor Lopez—who called Blackett “a phenomenal human”—as well as alumni who described her selection as rooted in excellence.
Blackett brings significant coaching experience from previous roles at UCLA (2017) and Azusa Pacific (2018–2023), where she earned multiple national assistant coaching honors. Internationally recognized as an athlete representing Barbados at two Olympic Games (Sydney 2000; Athens 2004), she holds national records in hurdles events.
Her appointment marks continuity within Rice’s storied women’s track legacy—a point highlighted by current staff members such as Jon Warren who said it was “exciting” for another alumna with deep understanding of Rice’s values to take over leadership.
