Mike Long, USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame Special Inductee

Mike Long coached the Florida State University track & field team for 23 years (1955-77), compiling an overall record of 131-32 (.804).

Long’s coaching career at Florida State began as an assistant football coach; he coached the ends under football coach Tom Nugent from 1953-55.

In 1955, Florida State began its intercollegiate track & field program, and Long took over the reins as the school’s first head coach. The Seminoles quickly became a powerhouse during his tenure, going undefeated in dual meet competition five times and only losing one meet during a season on six other occasions. 14 of his athletes earned All American recognition. In Long’s final year, the Seminoles put on a dominating performance at the Metro Conference championships to win a final title for their coach.

Florida State track & field was a family affair for Long. Four of his sons competed for FSU, and three later went into coaching: Curtiss Long served as long-time head coach at Western Kentucky, Terry Long as head coach at Florida State, and Jim Long as an assistant at Florida State.

Long was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978, and Florida State’s track is named in his honor.