Report: Canada’s Kevin Tyler expected to be given key role in UK Athletics

Canadian track coach Kevin Tyler is expected to play a key role in UK Athletics’ restructured squad.

According to several British news reports, Tyler’s appointment could be announced as early as Thursday as part of the unveiling of a new leadership team.

Charles van Commenee is stepping down from his post as head coach of UK Athletics after the British track team failed to meet his medals target at the London Games.

Tyler coached several of Canada’s top sprinters before he was hired as UKA’s strategic head of coaching and development in 2008. He worked closely with van Commenee, who called the Canadian his “right-hand man.”

When Tyler was hired, UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos called him one of the “best coach educators in the world,” adding his “real reputation is as a coach of coaches who makes things happen.”

Tyler could immediately be reached by The Canadian Press.

Great Britain’s governing body for track and field is set to unveil a structure that differs from the one under van Commenee, who had targeted at least eight medals, including one gold, at the London Games. Britain won four golds — three of which came in the space of an hour midway through the Games — for a total of six medals.

Among the Canadian athletes Tyler coached were Tyler Christopher, a world bronze medallist in the 400 metres, and Adam Kunkel, Canadian record-holder in the 400-metre hurdles.

Tyler is also a former sprinter and member of the Canadian Olympic bobsled team at the 1988 Calgary Games.

Canadian Derek Evely also works for UK Athletics, following Tyler — his friend and coaching colleague in Edmonton — to the British team in 2009.