Northwest Nazarene University Athletics

Dustin Ainsworth begins his 12th season with the Nighthawks in the 2018-19 academic year.

A 1993 graduate of the University of Idaho, Ainsworth served as the head track and field and cross country coach at Nampa High School from 1998 to 2006. He is a USATF Level 1 certified coach.

As an athlete, he competed at the University of Idaho. Ainsworth had the opportunity to experience many different events in his collegiate career, ranging from the decathlon to the relays. He made a national provisional mark in the 400-meter hurdles and focused on that event toward the end of his athletic career. Ainsworth was named the most valuable track and field athlete at the University of Idaho during the 1992 season. 

Ainsworth began coaching in 1996 and found it to be very rewarding. He continued to expand his philosophy and looks at coaching as a way to help individuals succeed and meet their goals, in life as well as on the track.

“It is a very motivating thing to help student-athletes achieve life objectives," said Ainsworth. “The athletes make it enjoyable for me, building relationships and strong ties with them makes coaching an exciting endeavor.”

During his time at NNU, Ainsworth has coached NNU student-athletes to 13 school records, 14 GNAC titles, six national marks and three national qualifying performances in the men and women’s hurdles, sprints and relays.

Family is very important to Ainsworth. He lives in Nampa with his wife, Sheri, and their twin boys, Declin and Kenton.