Each Monday of the fall semester, we’ll be bringing you three different “Getting to Know Them” profiles on coaches, athletic administrators and athletic trainers at Slippery Rock to introduce you to the folks behind the scenes here at The Rock. Next up, we check in with assistant track and field coach Bill Jordan. 

FAST FACTS
- 16th season at SRU as a member of the coaching staff
- 20th straight year at SRU including time as a student-athlete
- Has coached four national champions at SRU
- Coaches the SRU multi-event athletes, pole vaulters and jumpers
- 2005 PSAC champion in the decathlon

QUICK BIO
Bill Jordan was a standout on the SRU track and field team from 2001-05 and won the PSAC title in the decathlon his senior season before graduating from SRU with a degree in education. Jordan joined the SRU staff the summer after graduating and is currently in his 16th season with the program. During that time, Jordan has coached four individual national champions, 37 All-Americans, 80 PSAC individual champions and 75 NCAA Division II national qualifiers. He has helped lead The Rock to 12 PSAC team titles and 25 PSAC runner-up finishes during his tenure. He earned his master’s degree in physical education from SRU in 2008. 

Q: What’s the first concert you went to? What’s the most recent concert you went to?
A: The first major concert I attended was The Clarks. The last concert I attended was Garth Brooks down in Pittsburgh a few years ago. It was his comeback tour. He put on a great show. 

Q: What was your favorite subject in school? Why?
A: My favorite subject in school was history. I am not sure why; however, I do still enjoy learning about our past and hearing firsthand accounts of historical events.       

Q: What was your first job growing up?
A: I began working at a local grocery story when I was 12. My main job was bagging groceries and stocking shelves. 

Q: When did you know you wanted to go into a career in collegiate athletics?
A: I have wanted to be a college coach since I was a kid. My dad was a track and field and football coach at a local college. Some of my best childhood memories were made alongside my dad during his practices and at meets.

Q: Tell us about your family.
A: My family is amazing and I don’t know what I would do without them! I married my wife and best friend, Kate, six years ago. She is extremely supportive of everything I do, but most importantly, she is a fantastic mother to our children. Together we have two daughters: Allison (4) and Elizabeth (3). They are the joy or our lives. 

Q: What was the last book you read? Thoughts on it?
A: I just finished a book on Reagan’s presidential memoirs. Although I enjoy history, I must admit, it was a bit bland.   

Q: What’s your favorite meal?
A: I would have to say stuffed shells, but I will eat just about anything. 

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant? What do you order there?
A: I’m a big fan of North Country Brewery and I typically order a Leroy Brown burger or chicken. 

Q: What was your first car? What’s your dream car?
A: When I went to college, I got Chevy S-10. It was the most basic truck you could buy, but I was glad to have it. My dream car is probably a GMC Sierra.     

Q: Favorite current TV show? Favorite TV show of all-time?
A: Currently I’m watching a show on Netflix called “Designated Survivor,” but my favorite show of all-time would be Seinfeld.   

Q: What’s your favorite season/type of weather? Why?
A: My favorite season is, without question, fall. I enjoy the changing leaves and cooler temperatures.

Q: When you go grocery shopping, are you the “Make a List” person or the “Just Wing It” person?
A: I enjoy roaming the aisles and throwing anything that looks good into the cart.   

Q: What was your favorite or most memorable vacation?
A: I can’t say that any particular vacation stands out in my mind. I have had the opportunity to travel out west many times and all of those trips were pretty memorable.   

Q: Where is one place you haven’t visited yet, but you definitely plan to?
I have always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon. I hope to check that one off soon.   

Q: Are you a tech savvy person?
A: Some days I am and some days I am not.

Q: Describe your perfect day off.
A: Anything that involves spending time with my family. 

Q: Who is your hero? 
A: For many reasons I would call my grandfather my hero. 

Q: Can you sing?
A: NO! Not at all.   

Q: Fly or drive for a long trip?
A: I would never pass up a chance to fly. 

Q: How many and what kind of pets do you have? How long have you had them?
A: Currently we have a Labradoodle named Chester. He is five years old.   

Q: Cats or dogs?
A: Dogs. 

Q: Does pineapple belong on pizza?
A: Yes; but I will eat just about anything on a pizza. 

Q: Sheetz or WaWa? Why?
A: I prefer Sheetz; they are both acceptable, but we have a Sheetz in town, so they get my vote.   

Q: What’s the last TV show you binged watched?
A: The Black List. I was disappointed when the series ended.

Q: How long can you go without looking at your phone?
A: Not very long!

Q: What was the last app you downloaded on your phone? What is your most-used app?
A: I think the last app I downloaded was Team Builder, but YouTube is the most used app on my phone. 

To stay up to date with all that happens at The Rock, follow our official athletic communication accounts on Twitter (@Rock_Athletics), Facebook (RockAthletics) and Instagram (RockAthletics).