Columbus State University Athletics

Serving as the head women's cross country coach at Columbus State University since 2016, David Marley assumed the role of cross country and track and field coach during August 2020. Overall, he is entering his 12th year with the cross country and track and field programs headed into the 2023-24 season. He has served as a graduate assistant and assistant coach during his time.

During his first seven years with the program, Columbus State has captured two conference championships and made three NCAA Championship appearances.

Marley is originally from Albany, Georgia where he attended Westover High School and Darton College. At Darton College, Marley played soccer and ran cross country. He transferred to CSU in 2008 and ran an additional three years under Coach J.D. Evilsizer.

In 2008, Marley won the individual Peach Belt Conference championship title and led the team to a conference title. He made All-Region at the Southeast Cross Country Regional Championship, and led the Cougars to their first-ever NCAA Cross Country National Championship appearance in Slippery Rock, Pa. In 2009, Marley placed seventh at the PBC Conference Championship and helped the Cougars make their second NCAA Division II National Championship. In 2010, Marley placed sixth at the PBC Conference Championship, made All-Region honors at the Southeast Cross Country Regional Championship and helped the team make their third straight national championship appearance in Louisville, Ky. He was a member of the USTFCCA All-Academic Team all three years.

Marley graduated from CSU in 2010 with a bachelor's in exercise science and received his master's degree in public administration in 2012.

Marley still runs today and is being coached by James McKirdy from Flagstaff, Ariz. He runs distances from a mile to a marathon.  

His Personal Bests include:
1600m- 4:17 (2009)
Mile- 4:21 (2020)
5K- 14:47 (2008, 2015)
10K- 31:04 (2018)
10mile- 51:40 (2018)
Half Marathon- 67:54 (2018)
Marathon- 2:21:55 (Houston-2019), 2:21:56 (Grandmas-2019)