Photo by: Chris Floyd
Ryan Cole Named Interim Track and Field Coach
3/22/2022 2:48:00 PM | Track and Field
Cole, the head coach of the Falcons' cross country program, has been at Air Force since 2014.
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force cross country head coach Ryan Cole will serve as the interim head coach of the track and field team for the remainder of the season, Director of Athletics Nathan Pine announced. The elevation of Cole, who has overseen the Falcons' distance program for the last eight seasons, will provide stability for the program and the cadet-athletes, following the unexpected passing of Ralph Lindeman on March 6.
A four-time Mountain West Cross Country Coach of the Year [2015 men, 2016 women, 2020 men, 2021 men], Cole has guided Air Force to three conference titles and five team appearance at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, including the women's first bid in 2016.
Cole coached Mahala Norris to an NCAA title in the 3000-meter steeplechase last spring – the Falcons' first Division I track champion in nearly 60 years and one of 27 All-America performances under his eight-year watch. He has qualified 24 individuals to the NCAA Track and Field Championships a total of 52 times, with nine advancing to the finals 20 times. Cole-coached distance runners have combined for 17 Mountain West championships, 85 all-conference selections, 16 Academy Records, and 29 selections to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team [22 individual honors, 7 team honors].
A four-time Mountain West Cross Country Coach of the Year [2015 men, 2016 women, 2020 men, 2021 men], Cole has guided Air Force to three conference titles and five team appearance at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, including the women's first bid in 2016.
Cole coached Mahala Norris to an NCAA title in the 3000-meter steeplechase last spring – the Falcons' first Division I track champion in nearly 60 years and one of 27 All-America performances under his eight-year watch. He has qualified 24 individuals to the NCAA Track and Field Championships a total of 52 times, with nine advancing to the finals 20 times. Cole-coached distance runners have combined for 17 Mountain West championships, 85 all-conference selections, 16 Academy Records, and 29 selections to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team [22 individual honors, 7 team honors].
Players Mentioned
800m / 1500m
/ Track and FieldTuesday, May 12
Tuesday, April 21
Monday, March 09
Tuesday, March 03
