COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina track & field program is proud to welcome Karim Abdel Wahab as its newest assistant coach. Abdel Wahab brings a world-class pedigree to the Gamecock family, for which he will be in charge of the Carolina sprinters and hurdlers.

“I’ve been watching Karim for some time as he’s developed into one of the best coaches in the country,” South Carolina head coach Curtis Frye said. “He’s one of the pieces we need to lift our program back up to an elite level. He can take athletes from the development level to the elite level in a short period of time. He’s a family man, which fits into our program. We’re excited to welcome Karim, Katie and their family to Carolina.”

“I am ecstatic to join the staff at the University of South Carolina and excited to be a part of Coach Frye’s amazing coaching family,” Abdel Wahab said. “I’m excited about what the team can accomplish this season with the level of talent we have. I’m looking forward to getting the sprinters and hurdlers to do special things at the SEC level and on the national stage.”

Abdel Wahab comes to Columbia after eight seasons in charge of the sprinters and hurdlers at Colorado State University. His student-athletes combined for 13 new school records, including three Mountain West Conference records. Most recently, Abdel Wahab guided Colorado State’s women’s 4x400m relay squad to a new outdoor program record last season.

During his eight seasons in Fort Collins, Abdel Wahab led his student-athletes to six All-America honors and one honorable mention All-America honor. From 2012-14, Abdel Wahab coached Trevor Brown to five All-America finishes, including laurels in the 110m and 400m hurdles outdoors and the 60m hurdles indoors. Brown left CSU as the Mountain West’s record-holder in the 60mH (7.73) and 110mH (13.55).

On the women’s side, Abdel Wahab molded Lorenda Holston into an All-American in the 60m and 100m hurdles in 2017. Holston set the Mountain West’s all-time record in the 60mH (8.06).

Before joining the staff at Colorado State, Abdel Wahab spent four seasons at the University of Northern Colorado. He coached UNC’s first-ever NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifiers in the men’s 100m and 200m, helped four Bears set new school records and led multiple Big Sky Conference champions. He also spent two seasons at Colorado School of Mines.

Outside of the collegiate level, Abdel Wahab served as the personal coach for Fort Collins native and 2012 Olympic long jump bronze medalist Janay DeLoach. Under Abdel Wahab’s tutelage, DeLoach finished third in the long jump at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, earning a spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics. DeLoach was also a long jump finalist at the 2016 World Indoor Championships and a 100m hurdles finalist at the 2015 World Outdoor Championships under Abdel Wahab’s leadership.

Abdel Wahab has also served as a team coach for the Egypt National Team at the 2010 African Championships, the 2011 World Outdoor Championships, the 2012 World Indoor Championships and the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Among those to train under Abdel Wahab are Amr Seoud, Egypt’s national record holder in the 100m and 200m, and Anas Beshr, who set a national record in the 400m to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

Recognized as one of the top sprints and hurdles coaches in the world, Abdel Wahab has published several articles discussing the mechanics and methodologies of each discipline. He has taught extensively on the subject throughout the United States and Canada.

A native of Egypt, Abdel Wahab graduated in 2002 from Helwan University in Cairo with a degree in sports and exercise science. He is a USATF Level I Coach and is recognized as an ISSA Fitness Trainer and ISSA Fitness Therapist.

Abdel Wahab and his wife, Katie Folz, have three children.