Otterbein University Athletics

John Staten begins his third season as assistant, responsible for coaching the defensive line. Staten has spent the last four seasons as an assistant track and field coach at Otterbein, coaching throwers and serving as strength coach. A 2005 graduate of Otterbein, he was a four-year varsity member of the track and field team and took part in two Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championships—2003 indoor and 2004 outdoor. He was a four-time OAC qualifier in the discus, and sits sixth on the school’s all-time list with a throw of 154-4. In addition, he was a five-time OAC qualifier in the shot put, twice indoor and three times outdoor. Staten was a throws coach for three seasons at Olentangy High School (2006-08) and one season at Thomas Worthington High School (2009). Over that time, he coached one state qualifier and six regional qualifiers. Coach Staten and his wife, Jennifer, live just outside Westerville.