Ryan Cole Named Director of Track & Field/Cross Country
8/18/2022 4:29:00 PM | Cross Country, Track and Field
Cole, a six-time MW Coach of the Year, has overseen the Falcons' distance program since 2014.
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Ryan Cole has been named the Air Force Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, according to an announcement this afternoon (Aug. 18) by Director of Athletics Nathan Pine. Cole, a six-time Mountain West Coach of the Year, has been the head coach of the Falcons' cross country program for the last eight years, while also serving as the interim track and field head coach for the last six months.
"I am pleased to announce that we have named Ryan Cole as the Air Force Director of Track and Field and Cross Country," Pine said. "I have no doubt Coach Cole will do an outstanding job leading our programs and helping to develop leaders of character for our Air Force and Space Force. He has played a significant role in both program's successes as the head cross country and distance coach and I'm excited for him to continue to build upon that foundation in the years to come."
Overseeing the Falcons' successful distance program since his arrival in 2014, Cole has led Air Force to six-straight team appearances at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, including the women's first-ever Division I team appearance in 2016. The men have raced in four of the last five national meets, while the women matched the program's highest finish in more than 50 years with an eighth-place finish in 2019. Backed by a national championship finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase from Mahala Norris in 2021, his athletes have accounted for 28 All-America performances (eight in cross country, 20 in track and field).
He has coached Air Force to four team titles at the MW Championships, including three cross country titles (2015, 2020, 2021) and one outdoor track and field title (2022). Under his watch, 12 athletes have accounted for 19 individual conference titles and 105 all-conference accolades. His runners have set 18 middle distance and distance records at the Academy and made 111 additions to the program's Top 10.
"I'm extremely honored to be named the Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at the Air Force Academy," Cole said. "I'd like to thank Mr. Nate Pine, Ms. Jen Block, and Mr. Kevin Anderson for providing me with the opportunity to lead our overall program and continue serving the cadets at USAFA. This is such a tremendous institution, and I couldn't be more excited to be here. I'm also humbled to continue developing the program that Coach Ralph Lindeman built over the last 30 years. We will do everything we can to keep his legacy going and make everyone that has invested in our program proud."
"I am pleased to announce that we have named Ryan Cole as the Air Force Director of Track and Field and Cross Country," Pine said. "I have no doubt Coach Cole will do an outstanding job leading our programs and helping to develop leaders of character for our Air Force and Space Force. He has played a significant role in both program's successes as the head cross country and distance coach and I'm excited for him to continue to build upon that foundation in the years to come."
Overseeing the Falcons' successful distance program since his arrival in 2014, Cole has led Air Force to six-straight team appearances at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, including the women's first-ever Division I team appearance in 2016. The men have raced in four of the last five national meets, while the women matched the program's highest finish in more than 50 years with an eighth-place finish in 2019. Backed by a national championship finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase from Mahala Norris in 2021, his athletes have accounted for 28 All-America performances (eight in cross country, 20 in track and field).
He has coached Air Force to four team titles at the MW Championships, including three cross country titles (2015, 2020, 2021) and one outdoor track and field title (2022). Under his watch, 12 athletes have accounted for 19 individual conference titles and 105 all-conference accolades. His runners have set 18 middle distance and distance records at the Academy and made 111 additions to the program's Top 10.
"I'm extremely honored to be named the Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at the Air Force Academy," Cole said. "I'd like to thank Mr. Nate Pine, Ms. Jen Block, and Mr. Kevin Anderson for providing me with the opportunity to lead our overall program and continue serving the cadets at USAFA. This is such a tremendous institution, and I couldn't be more excited to be here. I'm also humbled to continue developing the program that Coach Ralph Lindeman built over the last 30 years. We will do everything we can to keep his legacy going and make everyone that has invested in our program proud."
Ryan Cole interview Sept 30, 2025
Tuesday, September 30
Katie Ryan- Mike Ryan AF Athletics Hall of Fame Induction video
Monday, September 29
Katie Ryan - Hall of Fame SPEECH
Monday, September 29
Mike Ryan - AF Athletics Hall of Fame Induction video
Monday, September 29
