FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University Director of Track & Field Andrew Gerard announced today that he has added three new assistant coaches to his staff: Appalachian State alum Jada Branch and former Patriots Raeshawn Bishop and Paul McClain.

"We're thrilled to bring on Jada, Raeshawn, and Paul," said Gerard. "Obviously, when we have alumni that feel strongly enough about their experience here to want to come back and work with the next generation of Mason athletes, that is a great thing. Rae and Paul were hugely impactful here during their time, and not just with their results. So, I know the athletes will benefit from everything they bring to the coaching side of the equation. Jada showed us that same passion and desire to invest in athletes from the coaching side of things when we met her in the process. I'm confident all three will be impactful coaches right from day one and pour into the current crop of Patriots!"

Raeshawn Bishop, Assistant Coach (Horizontal Jumps)

Bishop, a 2018 George Mason graduate who earned Master of Teaching degrees in Kinesiology and Special Education from the University of Virginia, will serve as George Mason's assistant coach for horizontal jumps.

One of the most decorated jumpers in Patriot track & field history, Bishop is a four-time Atlantic 10 champion — Outdoor Long Jump (2016), Outdoor Triple Jump (2016, 2017), and Indoor Triple Jump (2017) — and earned A10 Outstanding Men's Field Performer honors for the 2016 outdoor season.

"I'm excited to return to Mason and give back to a program that was an important part of my journey," said Bishop, who recently coached at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Va., and Osbourn High School in Manassas, Va.

Paul McClain, Assistant Coach
 
Another George Mason alum, McClain will join the coaching staff after competing for the Patriots each of the past four seasons and graduating with a degree in business analytics. A Centreville, Va., native, McClain will focus on race execution and academic/athletic balance in his work with George Mason's 800 M and middle-distance runners.
 
On the track, McClain is a five-time Atlantic 10 Conference medalist and a four-time A10 Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient. Most recently, McClain earned gold at the A10 Indoor Championships in the 500M this past season.
 
"As a recent Mason alum and an aspiring professional athlete actively continuing my own 800M training, returning to this program as an assistant coach is an incredible opportunity," said McClain. "Training at an elite level alongside our student-athletes puts me in a unique position to support them directly on the track, leading by example in workouts, pacing, and preparation. Having competed here under our coaching staff, I know the standard required to win championships, and I'm eager to help our team elevate their performance on and off the track."
 
Jada Branch, Assistant Coach
 
A two-time Indoor All-Sun Belt honoree (third team 2021-22, first team 2022-23) and 2023 All-America Honorable Mention, Branch joins the Patriots' staff after an illustrious collegiate career at Appalachian State and Louisiana Tech. Branch was a two-time NCAA East Preliminary Round Qualifier in the triple jump (2022, 2023) and, in 2023, became the first athlete to represent App State at the NCAA Championships since 2005.
 
Born in Georgia and raised in Germany, Branch holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a Health Studies concentration from Appalachian State University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Exercise & Sport Psychology at West Chester University.
 
"I am excited for the opportunity and privilege to be a part of a team with hopes to make a positive impact on the athletes and environment," said Branch, who will be working with George Mason's sprint and horizontal jump athletes. "I'm grateful to Coach Radlin and Coach Gerard for welcoming me into their track family. Let's get this work, Patriots!"