With UCLA’s once-proud sprinting program at a crossroads, Art Venegas is delving deep into Bruin lore to try to recapture the squad’s past success.

Venegas, men’s track and field head coach, hired Tony Veney as UCLA’s new men’s sprints and hurdles coach Thursday, bringing the former Bruin great back into the fold after nearly 30 years away from Westwood.

“Tony is someone that people look up to, nationally and internationally,” Venegas said. “He is a tireless recruiter, and he’s on the cutting edge in training for the sprints and hurdles. We were looking for the right fit, and I think we found it.”

UCLA began its search for a new sprints coach in April when then-coach Derek Loudenback indicated his long term career goals did not involve coaching.

A number of qualified candidates contacted Venegas about the job, but it was Veney – then the director of men’s and women’s track and field at Portland State – who emerged as the top choice.

When Veney’s wife Cloe received a job offer to teach in Southern California at Azusa Pacific, everything fell into place, and he accepted the job.

“I am extremely excited to return to my old stomping grounds,” said Veney, who began his coaching career in 1977 just a year after graduating from UCLA.

“Not many people get to go home again, but I’ve been given that opportunity. I’m ready to help get the program where it wants to be again,” he said.

Veney certainly seems to have the credentials to do just that.

Team USA’s head women’s coach at the Goodwill Games in 2001, Veney has been involved with USA Track and Field since 1987. He has been a coach at the collegiate level his entire career, and helped direct Oregon’s resurgence as a track and field power as an assistant coach from 1998 to 2001.

While the collection of sprinters and hurdlers that Veney inherits falls well short of the Bruin heyday, the cupboard is far from bare. NCAA qualifiers Craig Everhart and Jonathan Williams return as does a healthy Matt Bruno and heralded incoming recruits Phillip Nossmy and Brandon Johnson.

“National respectability is what I always experienced at UCLA,” Veney said.

Perhaps with his help, the Bruins can reach that level once again.