Coaching Staff

Dirk Homewood enters his 14th season as head coach, 17th year coaching at CF. The Cedar Falls High School Mathematics and Engineering teacher will be coaching the long sprinters, middle distance (400m-800m), sprint relays and high jump.

From 2005-2009, Homewood volunteered at the University of Northern Iowa, coaching the long sprinters, sprint relays, and long jumpers. Taking a break in 2008, he joined the Cedar Falls High School women’s program to coach the sprints, high jump, and relays. Prior to his coaching, Homewood was a professional track and field athlete, competing primarily in the 400 meters and representing Reebok. He was a five-time All-American on the track and earned Academic All-America honors three times.

"Track and field has given me so much," Homewood said. "As a Cedar Falls native and UNI alum, I am excited about the opportunity to give back to a sport I am so passionate about. I am here to teach and mentor our student-athletes."

Homewood, a native of Cedar Falls, received his B.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education from UNI in 2005 and M.A in Educational Psychology in 2010. He is married to Brenna and has five children, Jacey (17), Ella (16), Todd (10), Ike (8), and Dash (1)

Mitch Dowell is beginning his 9th season as the sprints and long jump coach. Dowell was born and raised in Cedar Falls, and he is a graduate of the 2012 class at Cedar Falls High School. He was coached by Dirk Homewood in two of his four years on the track team. During his time as a Cedar Falls athlete, he achieved two Drake Relays gold medals (along with two Drake records) and two gold medals at the state meet. These medals came with a team state title in 2011. The team finished second in 2012. Dowell was also mentored by Homewood in math and engineering courses.

Inspired by his time at Cedar Falls, Dowell continued his engineering education and track career at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He also joined the football team during his senior year. Dowell found success at the collegiate level as a four-year letter winner, a participant of four indoor and four outdoor WIAC conference meets, a WIAC champion, a participant at two DIII national meets, and a member of the DIII All-Academic team. Dowell received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 2016. After graduation, he spent time as a software engineer for DISTek Integration. Now, Dowell works for John Deere on diesel engine control software.

Brett Egan enters his 6th season on the Men’s Track and Field staff. As an athlete at Waukon High School, he set school records in the 1600, 3200 and 5k. In track, he earned top 3 finishes at the Drake Relays in the 1600 and 3200 along with a state title and runner up finish in those respective events. While attending UNI, he was a member of the UNI cross country and track teams, earning all-conference honors in both sports.

Egan received his BA and MA degree from UNI in secondary mathematics and currently teaches at Cedar Falls High School. Prior to moving to Cedar Falls, Egan served as the Waukon 7-12 girls head cross country coach for six seasons and the assistant boys track coach for three seasons. 

"Best hurdles coach ever!"

Nikki Pauli has been a volunteer coach with the Cedar Fall’s men’s and track teams for more than 15 years and currently coaches both the men’s and women’s hurdlers. Nikki is passionate about walking with students on and off the track as she runs a successful private practice in mental health counseling in Cedar Falls, works with high school students at Orchard Hill church, as well as teaches at The University of Northern Iowa and for LEAPT.

Pauli (Nelson) was a successful high school track athlete winning 8 state titles in her career, 7 of those being individual events and one a relay. Nikki went on to compete at The University of Northern Iowa specializing in sprints/long sprints and 400 hurdles. Pauli held numerous school records in high school and college.  Pauli was a three-time conference champion in 400m hurdles and qualified multiple times for the Division I National Championships, US Championships and the Olympic Trials in the 400m hurdles.

Pauli completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and sports psychology and her master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of Norther Iowa. The UNI track team is where Nikki met her husband Jacob Pauli who was a successful sprinter and National Champion in the Pole Vault. Jacob would go on to represent Nike and the US at many international competitions. Nikki and Jacob have four children Wil(17), Julian(15), Violet(12) and Olive(11)