CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois track and field Head Coach Petros Kyprianou continues his surge to assemble his coaching staff around him. This time he grabs a package deal of husband-and-wife James C. Lambert (JC), who will be the throws coach, and Deanna Price who will join on a volunteer role. JC comes to the Illini after spending time at Southern Illinois University (SIU).

Lambert started at SIU in 2013 on a volunteer role where he was in charge of the hammer throwers and developmental athletes. He also assisted the throws coach in running the throws practice as well as the weight room. In 2015 he was promoted to an assistant and throwers coach. He was in charge of the throwing events and supervised the weight room for the throwers. Home meet management for the throwers and helping with appeal/equipment was also in is repertoire.

"I am very excited to welcome coach Lambert and his wife/world champion Deanna Price to the Illini family," said Kyprianou. "His pedigree, work ethic and intelligence were the combination that led me to offer him. One of the best young yet ultra-accomplished coaches out there, JC will make an immediate impact on our program. I was impressed with his demeanor and the fact that has coached a world champion, along with developing a load of student-athletes to All-American status makes me excited for our throwers and reaching our goals as a team!"

Lambert has produced 6 National Titles between USATF and NCAA, 20 NCAA All-Americans, 33 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Champions, 72 MVC All-Conference selections and 44 SIU all-time top ten marks. He is most known for producing Olympic/2019 World Champion hammer thrower Deanna Price. Price won the hammer throw at the 2016 NCAA Championships and placed eighth in the 2016 Olympics.

"I am beyond grateful and excited for this opportunity to work for one of the best coaches in the business," said Lambert. "Coach Kyprianou's passion, vision, and expectations for the Illini Track and Field program really sold me and resonated with the goals I have for myself and throwers. I want to thank SIU for everything they have done for me for the past 14 years, as a student-athlete and as an assistant coach. I am excited to get to work and help build his vision and build the success for Fighting Illini Nation!"

Lambert competed at SIU as a thrower prior to his coaching days. He broke four school records in the indoor/outdoor shotput, weight throw and hammer throw. He graduated from SIU with his Bachelor's in Sports Administration.

Price too is joining the Illini track and field coaching staff on a volunteer role. She holds the American record and number two women's hammer throw of all-time, 80.31m (263' 5.8"). She is a two-time Olympian (2016 & 2021). She has experienced success on the world stage: Gold Medal - 2019 World Championship, Gold Medal - 2018 NACAC, Gold Medal - 2018 Continental Cup, Silver Medal - 2015 NACAC and Silver Medal - 2016 NACAC U23.

"I am very excited about this new opportunity at the University of Illinois," said Price. "I look forward to sharing my personal expertise and work ethic with the student-athletes. We will be forever thankful for the Saluki nation and what they have done for us. I am beyond excited to start training for the 2023 season and the new adventures for Coach Lambert and I. We look forward to the future success of the Illini track and field program."