Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay Athletic Department and Director of Track and Field & Cross Country, Eric Wymer have announced the hiring of Joel Leindecker as an assistant track and field coach. He will oversee the jumps and multis groups for the Oilers.

Leindecker comes to Findlay after spending seven years at Midland University, an NAIA insitution in Fremont, Nebraska. During his time there he worked with pole vault, combined events, and all jumping events. In his time at Midland, Leindecker has coached 74 All-Conference performers, 30 All-Americans, 18 GPAC champions, 11 school record holders, and 7 National Champions. Shandon Reitzell, whom he coached to a 2024 United States Olympic trials qualifying mark of 2.20m in the men's high jump, won the men's 2021 indoor, 2021 outdoor, and 2022 indoor high jump championships. 

Prior to joining the Midland staff, Leindecker spent three seasons at the University of Detroit Mercy, an NCAA Division I institution. During his time with the Titans, he coached 30 athletes to top-10 marks in program history, including the men's and women's pole vault school records. He also coached the 2018 Horizon League women's heptathlon champion.

Leindecker previously spent three seasons at Adrian College, an NCAA Division III institution, where he specialized in pole vault. During his time at Adrian, he continued working with high school athletes by founding a vaulting club. The club produced 18 MHSAA state finalists, 11 all-state performers and one indoor state champion.

A Brooklyn, Michigan, native, Leindecker graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Elementary Education.