Dean Aurich

Biography

Dean Aurich is in his fourth season with the Gustavus track & field coaching staff in the 2024-25 academic year, serving as the pole vault coach since fall 2021. Prior to joining Gustavus, Aurich held the same position at the University of St. Thomas for 11 seasons. In 2014 alone, he coached athletes who won three All-America honors and three MIAC championships. With Aurich on staff, the Gustie women won their first two ever MIAC Outdoor Championships in 2022 and 2023. Aurich has 30 years of head track and field coaching experience at the high school level in Minnesota. His track and field teams at Mayer Lutheran High School won 23 conference team championships and three state championships. He was honored in 1997 as the Minnesota State Track and Field Coach of the Year in Class A and the True Team Track and Field Coach of the Year in 2000. In 2024, Aurich announced his retirement from Mayer Lutheran after serving as head football and track & field coach for 36 years. His specialty is coaching pole vault to athletes ranging from middle-school age to elite college vaulters, with dozens of his high school vaulters competing at the Minnesota State High School Track and Field Championships, including two state champions.

Career Path