Abel Gilet began his coaching career as a volunteer with UAlbany's track and field program in 2014 after competing on the team for two seasons.
In 2019, Gilet coached Venique Harris on her way to becoming the first All-American First Team honoree in UAlbany women's track and field history when she placed sixth in the discus at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. She also earned Northeast Region Athlete of the Year, Most Outstanding Field Performer at the America East Championships, set a school record 190-09.00 in the discus and 50-04.75 shot put school record during the indoor season under Gilet's guidance. He also helped Tara Belinsky to an outdoor school record in the shot put and Ludith Campos to a freshman record in the hammer throw.
Both Belinsky and Harris are the only two UAlbany women's throwers to exceed 50-feet in the shot put.
Between 2014-18 as an assistant coach, he coached six American East Conference Champions in women's events - two shot put, two javelin, one discus and one weight throw. He also helped Byran Nicholson qualify for the USA Junior National Championships in the discus, where he placed 11th.
Before coaching, Gilet competed for two seasons at UAlbany and was two-time America East All-Conference as a thrower. The Spring Valley, N.Y. native transferred to UAlbany after playing football at Lackawanna College.
