Kurt McGuffin, UTM athletics director, has announced that Kevin Mangan has been named the eighth cross country (XC) coach in program history, according to Sports Information.
Mangan spent two seasons at UTM as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the UTM XC and track and field program. Along with the added responsibilities of being the head coach, Mangan will also remain working with the track and field program as an assistant coach.
“We are happy to promote Kevin to the position of head coach,” McGuffin said.
“Kevin will help bring some stability to a program that has continually risen and exceeded expectations over the last few years. Under his guidance, we expect the Skyhawk cross country program to continue its elevation.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams have seen continued success under the brief tenure of Mangan. The men’s XC team finished fifth in the OVC Championship and 13th in the NCAA South Regional Championship in 2017, with a slight dip in 2018 (dropping to sixth and 16th, respectively).
The women’s team finished fifth in the OVC Championship and 17th in the NCAA Regional Championship in 2017, which was also followed by a dip the following year to sixth and 21st, respectively.
Under Mangan’s tenure with the track and field program, the Skyhawks have won four OVC Championship event titles in distance medley relay (DMR), 60 meter, 60 meter hurdle and 200 meter events, according to Sports Information.
Mangan joined the ranks of the UTM coaching staff in fall of 2017 after spending the 2016 season with the Florida State Seminoles. This came after a stint with Baylor, where he finished his master’s degree.
Mangan himself was also a student athlete, competing in XC and track at the University of Washington, where he was recognized among Pac-12 all-academic honorees, according to Sports Information.
So far in 2019, the men’s and women’s XC team finished second in the Tennessee Tri-Stars Cross Country Challenge in Knoxville and first in the John Flamer Invitational in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Both teams will have their first race under Mangan on Oct. 18 in their return to Edwardsville for the Bradley Pink Classic, before taking part in the OVC Championship on Nov. 2.
Photo Credit / Sports Information
