Norm Berney was an Oregon state wrestling champion for Canby High School in 1963.

He earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Oregon College and his master's degree from Portland State University.

Berney began his coaching career as an assistant wrestling coach at Clackamas Community College and became the head coach in 1975.

During his career at Clackamas, he coached three national champions and 13 All-Americans. Berney was named the Oregon Community College Coach of the Year five times while earning the Regional Coach of the Year award in 1989 and the National Junior College Coach of the Year in 1987. His career dual meet record was 127-35. He also served as the assistant track and field coach from 1975 to 1988.

Berney became the first-ever head coach of the cross country programs at Corban University in 2003. Following the success of both the men's and women's cross country teams, he started the track and field program at Corban in 2004.

He led Corban

became the first-ever head coach of the cross country programs at Corban University in 2003.  Following success with both the men's and women's cross country teams, Berney started the track & field programs at Corban in 2004. He retired in 2021 after 19 seasons at the helm of the cross country teams and 18 years captaining the school's track and field programs.