BAHAMIAN track icon Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie has been appointed assistant coach at the University of Kentucky for the 2018-2019 season.

The 42-year-old Ferguson-McKenzie will form part of the support staff for head coach Lonnie Greene, who was appointed to his position earlier this year after a successful six-year run at Purdue.

“I want to be one of the first to welcome coach Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie to The University of Kentucky,” Greene said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in this noble profession of ours.  She will bridge the gap between coach Tim Hall and myself. I am excited for her to get started on our staff.”

Ferguson McKenzie joins the UK staff after spending the past four seasons at the University of Houston where, according to a statement put out by UK, she helped build that programme into a nationally relevant contender.

“I’m thankful to coach Lonnie Green and the UK administration for giving me the opportunity to work with the Wildcats,” Ferguson-McKenzie said. “Being able to work within the SEC is an honour and a privilege. I want to also thank Houston and every one I worked with there. Now I’m so honoured and excited to be with UK.

“I’ve always heard great things about coach Greene, particularly his loyalty and pedigree. I know I’m joining one awesome staff. The group of coaches he’s assembled and support staff are very exciting, positive, spiritual and grounded. I’m looking forward to working to take Kentucky to great heights.”

In 2017, Ferguson McKenzie’s athletes had great success at the Conference Championship level as she helped lead senior Tori Williams to the indoor title in 200-metres, while Sierra Smith claimed silver medals in each of the 60m and 200m. During the outdoor slate, Ferguson McKenzie saw freshman Brianne Bethel take home a pair of silver medals in each of the 100m and 200m.

As an athlete, Ferguson-McKenzie won 52 medals in international competition including her Olympic and world championship medals and was a 10-time Bahamas national champion in the 100- and 200-metre sprints.

Ferguson-McKenzie was a specialist at the 100 and 200m sprints, as she represented The Bahamas in five Olympic Games – Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 – and is a three-time Olympic medallist – owning the full suite of medals – and four-time medallist at World championships. (Sportsmax)