Welcome to the Forty Acres, Mo: Texas Longhorns Land Elite Olympic Champion Coach Mohamad Saatara to Elevate Throwing Program

The Texas Longhorns just landed a game-changer in the world of collegiate track and field. When it comes to elite coaching hires, the Forty Acres doesn’t settle for anything less than excellence—and they’ve proven it again by welcoming Mohamad “Mo” Saatara into the Longhorns family. The legendary throws coach, whose track record sparkles with Olympic gold, national dominance, and world-class accolades, brings a résumé few in the world can rival.

Saatara arrives in Austin with the kind of credentials that instantly make headlines: a 2024 Olympic Champion throws coach in the men’s hammer throw, the architect behind 31 All-Americans, and the mastermind of four NCAA national titles. His athletes haven’t just competed—they’ve rewritten the record books, capturing two all-time NCAA records and four World Championship medals. His coaching has also produced a World Champion and even the current world record holder in men’s discus.

This is more than just a big hire. This is a seismic statement about Texas’ commitment to becoming the undisputed powerhouse of collegiate track and field. It’s the kind of acquisition that reshapes an entire program’s trajectory, injecting immediate credibility, international clout, and a level of technical expertise few programs can match.

To understand the significance of Saatara’s arrival, you first have to appreciate the precision and strategy that goes into throws training. Whether it’s hammer, discus, shot put, or javelin, throws are some of the most technically demanding and physically brutal events in the sport. They require not only brute strength but impeccable form, world-class coordination, and the kind of mental toughness that comes from elite coaching. Saatara has mastered this balance—bringing out the best in his athletes across multiple disciplines.

His Olympic coaching experience sets him apart in a way that’s impossible to ignore. Coaching an Olympic champion, especially in an event as nuanced as the hammer throw, means working at the absolute peak of human performance. It requires developing training regimens that account for biomechanics, nutrition, sports psychology, injury prevention, and high-pressure competition cycles. It’s a world of marginal gains—where every hundredth of a second, every centimeter matters. Saatara has not only thrived in that world—he’s defined it.

But beyond the Olympic podium and the NCAA records lies perhaps Saatara’s most impressive quality: his consistency. Thirty-one All-Americans under his tutelage is no fluke. It’s the result of decades of high-level instruction, athlete development, and an ability to evolve with the ever-changing demands of the sport. He’s built a reputation as someone who doesn’t just find talent—he creates it.

His athletes often come in as raw powerhouses, but under Saatara’s guidance, they become refined technicians capable of competing at the highest levels. He doesn’t just coach throwers—he engineers champions. That kind of development pipeline is invaluable to a Texas program with aspirations of year-round dominance in every event group.

The timing of this hire could not be more perfect for the Longhorns. The program has already shown flashes of brilliance on the national scene, but bringing in a proven developer of world-class talent signals a new era—one where the throwing program can compete with the best in the country and the world.

Saatara’s ability to coach across events is another feather in his cap. While his hammer throwers have become synonymous with elite success, he has also coached medalists in the discus, helped break barriers in the shot put, and guided athletes to breakthroughs in the javelin. His adaptability and breadth of knowledge make him a force multiplier within any staff.

For recruits, Saatara’s presence alone is a magnetic draw. High school athletes with Olympic dreams now have a direct line to someone who’s coached at that level—and succeeded. International prospects, who often prioritize proven Olympic pipelines when selecting a school, will see Texas as an immediate contender.

And let’s not forget what this means for the athletes already on the Forty Acres. They now get to learn from one of the greatest throws minds in the sport. They’ll benefit not just from his technical training, but from his ability to coach mindset, confidence, and competitiveness. That kind of mentorship can redefine an athlete’s career.

Saatara’s integration into the Texas program will likely bring a ripple effect. His connections to international federations, access to elite training networks, and presence on the global coaching stage mean the Longhorns will now be on the radar not just nationally—but worldwide. Texas doesn’t just want to win the Big 12. With Mo on board, they want to dominate the NCAA and send athletes to Paris, Los Angeles, and beyond.

It’s also worth mentioning the cultural fit. Saatara brings intensity, yes, but also a teaching-first approach that aligns with Texas’ core values. He’s known as a coach who demands excellence but leads with empathy and respect. That balance resonates with athletes, parents, and colleagues alike. It builds a foundation of trust that makes high performance sustainable and enjoyable.

Looking ahead, it’s not hard to imagine the possibilities. Under Saatara, the Texas throws program could become the SEC’s most feared group. It could shatter long-standing school records, produce multiple NCAA champions, and send Longhorns athletes to the Olympic Games. The idea of Texas becoming “Throws U” isn’t just a dream—it’s a legitimate outcome now.

Saatara’s hiring also signals a broader ambition from the Texas athletics department. It’s about more than just winning. It’s about investing in elite personnel, building world-class infrastructures, and competing on the highest levels in every sport. The Forty Acres has long been a destination for football and basketball stars. Now, it’s becoming a top-tier magnet for Olympic hopefuls and track and field juggernauts.

What makes this even more exciting is the community buzz. From alumni to fans to athletes across all sports, there’s a genuine sense that something special is happening. Mo Saatara has arrived, and with him comes a tidal wave of expectation, opportunity, and swagger.

For those who follow the sport closely, this isn’t just a hire—it’s a shift in the landscape. The man who coached a 2024 Olympic gold medalist and holds the blueprint for world records is now wearing Burnt Orange. And if history is any indicator, Texas track and field just became a lot more dangerous.

So, welcome to the Forty Acres, Mo. 🤘
You’ve coached the best in the world—now it’s time to make them in Austin.