STEPHENVILLE - Brandon Couts has a lot of history at Baylor University's Hart-Patterson Track and Field Complex.

Couts ran for Baylor's storied track program from 1998-2001, earning Big 12 Athlete of the Year and Baylor Athlete of the Year honors in 2000.

Couts was a 13-time All-American and four-time NCAA Division I champ in both the 400 meter dash and the 4x400m relay. He set a Big 12 record with 15 conference championships and was named to the conference's 10th Anniversary Team. He posted personal bests of 10.15 seconds in the 100m dash, 20.48 in the 200m and 44.72 in the 400m.

On Saturday, Couts, who is now the assistant track coach at Tarleton State, will be hoping to make a little more history in Waco when the Texans and TexAnns compete in the Michael Johnson Dr Pepper Classic.

Tarleton will be looking to add to its list of those who have posted provisional-qualifying marks for the NCAA Division II nationals, while also hoping to post its first wave of automatic-qualifying marks.

"There will be some great athletes there, we might even go against some future Olympians," said Couts, who is responsible for sprinters, hurdlers and relays at Tarleton. "We may not win, but we may run some (auto-qualifying times). That would be great, I'd be happy with that."

Derekia Coleman has made most of the headlines for Tarleton this season, having already posted provisional times in both the 100m and 200m dashes. She broke the school record in the 200m with a time of 24.09 seconds at last week's David Noble/Angelo State Relays in San Angelo.

The sprinter is one of five Texans and TexAnns who have posted provisional marks, including Jeff Smith (400m hurdles), Hayden Eubanks (discus), Elizabeth Dominguez (discus) and Leslie Jordan (shot put).

Couts believes those standouts and others from Tarleton are primed for a big weekend.

"We just need to relax and run. There's should be no pressure on us when we're at a Division I meet," Couts said. "My philosophy is there is nothing to worry about, just go out and do something to make the top dogs worry."

Couts is looking forward to seeing the team compete in one of the best track atmospheres the nation has to offer.

"I think it's going to be a good experience," he said. "When you compete in front of big crowds, or you know people are watching on TV, it seems to give you a little extra 'gotta do this' mentality. You want to fare well."

He's also looking forward to being back at Baylor.

"I like going back to Baylor. Waco is my old stomping grounds," Couts said. "Hopefully I'll get to see a lot of old teammates and coaches."

He made countless memories while racking up national championships and All-American honors at BU, but none stand out more than his first meeting with legendary sprinter Michael Johnson, a multiple Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder in both the 200m and 400m dashes.

"My first time working out with (Johnson) is probably what stands out the most," Couts said. "I was really nervous. He was the reigning Olympic champion and here I am, just a little freshman. It was quite an experience."

It will be an enjoyable trip down memory lane for the Baylor great on Saturday, but it's making new memories with his current teams that Couts is looking forward to most.

"I'm excited to be back in Texas coaching," said Couts, who was previously an assistant at Colorado. "I'm happy to be taking athletes down there and I can't wait to see them run against that level of competition.

"It doesn't matter what division you're in," he added. "It's all about going out and competing well."