Jeff Klein is in his 26th year as the head coach of the Gilmour Academy girls track & field program with the 2021-22 school year. He is also serving as the head boys coach for the second consecutive season, a role he also held from 1996-2004. Prior to his first year as a head coach, he spent one year as an assistant track coach with the Lancer program.

Under the direction of Klein, the Lancers have won four girls state titles (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009) while twice earning runner-up honors (2008 and 2010). The team has earned 18 consecutive district titles, 12 regional crowns and 14 conference titles, which include two in the North Coast League (NCL), four in the Independent School League (ISL) and eight in the MAC-8.

A total of 74 of his athletes have been named All-Ohio and 45 have earned Academic All-Ohio accolades. One of his most notable student-athletes was Bekka Simko ’10, who went on to earn All-American status at Penn State University and the University of Arkansas. She also participated in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Thirty three of Klein’s athletes have gone on to compete collegiately – 23 of which went to NCAA Division I institutions. The most recent of his team members to take their skills to the next level are: Caitrina Barton ’21 (Fordham University), Mackenzie Palinski ’21 (Brown University), Katie Engle ’19 (University of Cincinnati); Alannah Barton ’19 (Robert Morris University); Ava Thomas ’18 (Yale University); and Lucia Cannata ’18 (John Carroll University).

Klein has been named News-Herald Coach of the Year five times (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) and Plain Dealer Coach of the Year twice (2005 and 2007).

Klein has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Penn State and a teaching license from Cleveland State University. He is employed as a science teacher at Gilmour, teaching physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science since 1994. Prior to working at Gilmour, Klein worked for FMC Corporation, a Fortune 150 company, in such positions such as sales engineer, marketing associate and marketing product manager.

Klein currently resides in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with his wife of 27 years, Darla. They have two children, Nathaniel, a 2012 Gilmour graduate, and Rebekah. He is a member of the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches (OATCCC) and holds his Level I certification through USA Track & Field (USATF), as well as his sprint/hurdles certification through U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).