Puma Track & Field recently announced the hiring of two new coaches, including one former Puma student-athlete. Joel Banfield and Quinten Bankston join the coaching staff as assistants for the 2022-23 season. The Pumas are excited for this new chapter and the addition of these two coaches to head coach Dave Barney's staff.
Bankston, a PVCC alumni, attended PV and was a student-athlete with the Track & Field program (2016-2017). While with the Pumas, Bankston was an NJCAA qualifier in the 400m hurdles (2017) as well as the 4x400m relay (2016 & 2017). Bankston is a native Arizonan and graduate of Sandra Day O'Connor High School.
After Bankston graduated from PVCC with his Associates in Arts, he transferred to Arizona State University where he competed with Sun Devil Track & Field for two seasons (2018-2019). Bankston graduated from ASU in December 2020 with a Bachelor's in Economics.
Prior to joining the PVCC coaching staff, Bankston was an assistant coach at Liberty High School coaching the sprints and hurdles (2020-2022).
Banfield will bring his philosophy, "education through sport and human growth through experience" and coaching style to the team this season. A decorated runner himself, Banfield brings 20+ years of coaching experience to the Pumas and will use that experience and knowledge to guide student-athletes to success on and off the field.
Banfield has been a long time track & field coach in AZ including: Arizona Puma (2002-Present); Moon Valley High School assistant, high jump (2005-2007); Ironwood High School assistant, sprints (2007-2016); Ironwood High School head coach, boys (2016-Present); Glendale Community College assistant, sprints (2015-2017).
Banfield is the owner of Banfield Performance, LLC (since 2007) and his certifications include: ISSA CPT, ISSA S&C; Brookbush Institute - Human Movement Specialist; USATF Level 1; NFHS - Accredited Interscholastic Coach.
Having had great success at the high school level, Banfield's coaching accomplishments include: 2006 Wells Fargo Region Coach of the Year; eight HS national qualifiers; 10 individual HS State Championships; eight individual HS runner-up finishers; 15 individual HS state runner-up finishers; eight individual HS district championships; 20+ collegiate student-athletes (all divisions); seven honorable student-athlete mentions.
Banfield has a fiancé, Leah Schaper, two children Jazmin and Jayden and three step-children Jaylen, William and Jasmine.
Welcome to the Puma family coach Banfield and coach Bankston!
