Franklin Completes Staff with Thurnhoffer, Graham and Mohns
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico cross country/track and field head coach Joe Franklin has completed his staff with the addition of Bob Thurnhoffer and Jasmyne Graham as assistant coaches, as well as the promotion of Kyra Mohns to a full-time assistant coach.
Thurnhoffer has spent the last five seasons as the head coach at Loyola University Chicago and the previous 18 seasons as Division I coach in Chicago. He specialized in long sprints, jumps, hurdles, and throws during that time.
“Bob brings a wealth of knowledge about the sport of track and field and particularly the speed power events,” Franklin stated. “His success in those events has been remarkable considering he was highly successful without any facilities.”
At Loyola Chicago, he guided his athletes to 35 school records and over 80 school-record performances, 65 conference titles, over 120 conference top-three finishes, 20 conference specialty award winners, while overseeing six Horizon League records, 34 NCAA First Round Qualifiers, three NCAA Final Qualifiers, and took part in ten team conference top-two finishes.
“First, I’d like to thank Coach Franklin for this great opportunity to join his amazing staff, and I feel fortunate to be a part of such a tremendous athletics department. I’m looking forward to continuing the grand tradition in speed/power events New Mexico has established over the last decade-plus. Ever since coming to the Don Kirby meet in 2012, I always saw The University of New Mexico as a really special place,” Thurnhoffer stated. “I can’t wait to get down to Albuquerque and get to work!”
Not only did he propel his team in their athletic pursuits but also academically. During his tenure as head coach, the program’s academic achievements maintained its prowess, with 32 USTFCCCA All-Academic team members, nine named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Teams, and two (CoSIDA) Academic All-Americans.
Graham joins the Lobos coaching staff after graduating from UNLV. She brings expertise in hurdles and sprints.
“We are excited to add Jasmyne to our staff! She comes highly recommended by the former coaches at UNLV, who we have great respect for,” Franklin commented. “Her enthusiasm and knowledge will be a massive asset to our staff and team.”
Graham comes with bachelor’s degrees in human services and urban studies.
“My running career is over, but my passion for track and field won’t let me walk away. I’m beyond excited and looking forward to this opportunity to teach and develop these athletes,” Graham said. “I’ve always enjoyed competing in New Mexico as an athlete and now even more excited to be there as a coach. Thank you, Lobos, for this amazing opportunity. I can’t wait to get started!”
She currently holds UNLV’s record in the 100m hurdles all-time outdoor performances (13.07) and sits third in UNLV’s 60m hurdles all-time indoor performances (8.33). During her final season at UNLV, she earned USTFCCCA Second Team All-American honors in the 100m hurdles and in 2018 for the outdoor season. In 2019 she was named to the Mountain West All-Conference Indoor Team (60m hurdles and long jump), and in 2018 to the Mountain West All-Conference Indoor Team in the 60m hurdles.
While Mohns is not a new face on the staff, she has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach after completing two years as a graduate assistant. She now begins her third-year coaching with her alma mater. Mohns graduated from UNM with a bachelor’s in elementary education in 2018 and now has her Master’s in Special Education.
“Kyra’s elevation to a full-time coach reflects her commitment and drive to be an outstanding coach,” Franklin stated. “She has had two years of learning from one of the best sprint coaches in the country, and now it is her turn to write her own chapter in the rich history of New Mexico track and field.”
During her time at UNM, she specialized as a combined event athlete. Mohns holds the fourth-best score all-time in the pentathlon and heptathlon with 3807 points and 5391 points, respectively. In addition to competing as a combination athlete, she doubled in the 400-meter hurdles, where she currently holds the third-fastest times in program history.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to be a full-time coach here at UNM,” Mohns commented. “I learned a lot during my time as a graduate assistant here, which will help me transition to being a Division I coach.”
She twice finished third in the pentathlon (2017 and 2018), third in the heptathlon in 2018, and fourth in 2017 at the Mountain West Championships. In the 400-meter hurdles, she finished second in 2018 and third in 2017.
Mohns was also named to the All-Mountain West Indoor Team in 2017 and 2018 in the pentathlon and the All-Mountain West Outdoor Team in 2017 in the 400-meter hurdles and 2018 in the 400-meter hurdles and the heptathlon.