Shane Named Head Women's Track Coach

Mark A. Philbrick Lacey Cramer speaking with women's cross country head
coach Patrick Shane 2009 BYU Cougar Track Invitational April 3, 2009
Photography by Mark A. Philbrick Copyright
BYU Photo 2009 All Rights Reserved photo@byu.edu (801)422-7322

Patrick Shane has been hired as the new head women's track coach at BYU, Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe announced Tuesday.

Shane replaces long-time women's track coach Craig Poole, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Shane has been the women's cross country coach at BYU for the past 30 years. His teams have been a dominant force nationally, capturing four NCAA Championships and three runner-up finishes in the past 14 seasons. During his career, Shane has been named the national cross country Coach of the Year three times, in 1997, 2000 and 2001.

"Coach Shane is one of the most successful coaches ever at BYU," Holmoe said. "In addition to the national championships and stream of All-Americans, his student-athletes have also been successful in the classroom and positive role models in the community."

Since 1981, when the NCAA began hosting women's championships, Shane's teams have qualified for nationals 27 times in 30 years. Throughout his coaching tenure at BYU, the women's cross country team has finished in the NCAA Top 10 a total of 19 times.

Shane has coached six Olympians and 48 All-American cross country runners. His cross country teams have captured 24 conference championships and 16 District titles in 30 seasons. Shane has been named district coach of the year nine times and conference coach of the year 10 times.

"I'm looking forward to implementing the vision I have for women's track at BYU," Shane said. "It has been an honor working with Craig Poole for the past 30 years. I'm excited for the opportunity to continue that legacy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I look forward to helping the women's track and field program reach its potential."

Shane helped develop the USATF Coaching Education Program. In 2008, he was selected as the head coach for the USA Women's Track and Field Team for the IAAF World Junior Champions held in Poland.

Shane is married to Karey and they are the parents of seven children.