Highly Decorated Throws Coach Weir Joins Mizzou Track & Field Coaching Staff
7/15/2020 9:45:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Track & Field
Veteran coach will oversee Mizzou’s Throwers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Track & Field added veteran throws coach Robert Weir to its coaching staff, as announced Wednesday by head coach Brett Halter. A three-time Olympian and 12-time Great Britain national champion, Weir brings more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to Mizzou, including stints as Stanford's Head Coach (2004-08) and the United Kingdom's national throws coach (2009-10).
Weir replaces Ross Richardson, who retired from coaching in June 2020.
"We are thrilled to have Coach Weir join our family," said Halter. "I have personally known Robert for many years. His accomplishments in the sport are extraordinary, but his leadership and character rival anything he has done in the sport. One would be hard pressed to find a more genuine and caring human being. Mizzou Nation got better today."
"I would like to thank Weber State University administration, my colleagues and especially Paul Pilkington for the great times I had in Utah," said Weir. "I am extremely excited to become a member of the Mizzou Athletics family, and I look forward to meeting the administration, the staff and the athletes. Go Tigers!"
Weir joins Mizzou with a wealth of experience on the international coaching circuit, having spent time with both the United Kingdom and United States national teams. He served as the head coach of the USA team at the 2006 World Junior Championships, was the USA senior throws coach in 2005 and 2007 and the head coach of U.K.'s national team in 2009-10. While at Stanford, Weir guided Adam Nelson to the 2000 U.S. national title and an Olympic silver medal in the shot put.
Weir comes to Mizzou after three seasons at Weber State (2017-20), where he coached Wildcat throwers to one All-America honor, four school records and 16 program top-10 marks. Prior to Weber State, Weir spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Clemson (2013-17) and one season as an Associate Head Coach at Hawai'i (2012-13). While at Clemson, the Tigers women's team captured the 2014 ACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. From 2010-12, Weir was an assistant coach at Oregon, where the Ducks men's and women's programs combined for six Pac-12 championships and three NCAA team championships.
The veteran throws coach spent 16 seasons in multiple capacities with the Stanford Track & Field program from 1993-2008, including a five-year stint as the head coach of the Cardinal from 2004-08. In addition to numerous All-America honors during his time with the Cardinal throwers, Weir coached Michael Robertson to the 2005 NCAA title in the discus with a school record throw of 61.70m (202-5). Weir was named the 2001 NCAA West Regional Men's Assistant Coach of the Year and helped lead Stanford to Pac-10 titles in 2001 (men outdoor) and 2005 (women outdoor). Weir first joined Stanford in 1993 as a part-time assistant coach before being elevated to an assistant coach in 1994, associate coach in 1997, associate head coach in 2001 and head coach in 2004.
In addition to his work with the Stanford Track & Field program, Weir designed the strength and conditioning training for Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres, both future Olympians who competed at the 2000 Sydney Games.
As an athlete, Weir won 12 Great Britain national championships and represented his home country at the 1984, 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympic Games. At the Sydney Games, Weir was named captain of the Great Britain Track & Field Team. Weir also represented the U.K. at six IAAF World Championships and was a two-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games, winning the 1982 hammer and 1998 discus titles.
A native of Birmingham, England, Weir competed collegiately at SMU where he was a three-time NCAA champion and 10-time NCAA All-American. While at SMU, Weir set the collegiate record in the hammer throw and the world record in the indoor weight throw. He earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from SMU in 1985.
In addition to his illustrious track & field career, Weir played professional football in the Canadian Football League from 1986-92 and competed in the 1997 World's Strongest Man competition.
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Robert Weir File
Coaching History
2017-20 – Weber State – Assistant Coach, Throws
2013-17 – Clemson – Assistant Coach, Throws
2012-13 – Hawai'i – Associate Head Coach, Throws
2010-12 – Oregon – Assistant Coach, Throws
2009-10 – United Kingdom – National Team Throws Coach
2004-08 – Stanford – Head Coach
2001-03 – Stanford – Associate Head Coach, Throws
1997-00 – Stanford – Associate Coach, Throws
1994-96 – Stanford – Assistant Coach, Throws
1993 – Stanford – Part-time Assistant Coach
Athletic Career
Three-time Olympian (1984, 1996, 2000)
Two-time Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist (1982 hammer throw, 1998 discus throw)
Three-time NCAA National Champion
10-time NCAA All-American
Education
1985 – Southern Methodist – Business Administration
