Dave Lehman took over the men's and women's track and field programs in May of 2009, bringing 40 years of coaching experience—all at Otterbein—to his head coaching position.
Lehman, who served as Otterbein head men’s cross country coach from 1970-99, was also the assistant track and field coach at his alma mater since graduation from Otterbein in 1970.
“I really like NCAA Division III because the kids are here for academic reasons and the athletics—while it’s very important and we want to make it a priority—is still secondary to the academics,” Lehman said.
In addition to track and field, Lehman oversees the men's and women's cross country programs.
“The things that we want to emphasize in taking this program forward are good team atmosphere and for the student-athletes to be supportive of each other,” Lehman continued. “We're looking for enthusiasm, talent and putting good effort into the athletics. We want them to work hard, have big dreams, and do it.”
Upon graduation from Otterbein in 1970, Lehman helped build a successful business, the Culver Art and Frame Company, and served as the company’s secretary treasurer until the business was sold in 2005. Lehman remained with the company in an administrative role until 2009.
Over the course of his coaching career, Lehman led his men’s cross country teams to seven Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championships (1980, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994 and 1995), and into the NCAA Division III Championships ten times. His 1994 team finished eighth in the nation, and his 1995 squad took 17th place. He has coached five All-Americans.
Lehman is a seven-time OAC “coach of the year” selection in men’s cross country, and has earned numerous awards, including the Service to Otterbein Award from the Otterbein Alumni Association in 2005. He served on the Otterbein Board of Trustees from 2003-06.
Coach Lehman and his wife, Claudia, have three grown children and two grandchildren, and live in Westerville, on the edge of the Otterbein campus.
