A fixture at Clayton State since November of 1990, Mike Mead enters his 12th season in developing the Laker track and field programs. A standout runner at West Georgia, Mead has utilized his running experience in building a competitive collegiate program.

Mead has guided the Clayton State track & field programs since 1997.  Since 2002, the teams have produced a combined eight All-Americans, including Ahmad Rolle who earned the honor during this year's indoor season. During the 2007 outdoor season, Angela Cobb (10,000m) and Allison Kreutzer (5,000 & 10,000m) earned All-American honors to lead the Lakers to an 18th-place team finish.

In 2005, Carlos Guyton became the first Laker to earn All-American honors indoors with a fourth place finish in the 400m dash.   In 2004, the Laker men had four runners named All-American while five runners competed at the NCAA Division II outdoor meet. The 4x400 team of Guyton, Brian Etleman, Rother Heard, and Eric Simmons placed sixth in the nation. In 2002, the program had its first All-American as Joni Guffey, a two-time participant in the NCAA Track & Field Championships, placed sixth in the 1500m.

Mead has earned three "Coach of the Year" honors during indoor track.  He was named the Men's South Region "Coach of the Year in 2005 and  the Women's South Region "Coach of the Year" this past season and in 2006.

While at West Georgia, he helped the cross country team to consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division II Championships in 1978-79. He was a two-time all-conference and one-time Georgia Collegiate all-state runner. In track and field, Mead represented West Georgia at three NCAA Division II Championships in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. He held four track records including the steeplechase (9:08.7), indoor mile (4:18) and indoor two-mile (9:14).

Prior to attending West Georgia, Mead ran two seasons at NJCAA powerhouse Southwestern Michigan College. He competed in two NJCAA national meets, including the 1977 cross country championships in which SMC finished second.  Following college, Mead ran for the Atlanta Track Club and Athletics South competitive teams during the early 1980's and set personal bests on the road of 30:54 for the 10K, 24:47 for 8K, and 14:35 for 5K. He has helped direct several road races in Americus, Carrollton, Jackson and Morrow and continues to run for the Atlanta Track Club on its master's team.

Mead holds a bachelor of arts degree in speech and master's degree in public administration from West Georgia. Before coming to Clayton State, he worked for daily newspapers in Carrollton and Americus and worked two years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He also served as Sports Information Director at Georgia Southwestern State for two years.

In addition to his coaching duties, Mead serves as Assistant Director of Athletics. He is also active in the community, serving on the board of directors for Clayton Youth Leadership and the Good Shepherd Clinic, and is a member of the Southlake Kiwanis Club. He is an active member in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, serving as President for the Division II Cross Country Coaches’ Association.  In 2005, he was inducted into the Lakeshore High School (Mich.) Athletic Hall of Fame.  Mead and his wife, Alison, reside in nearby Lake City.