PORTLAND, Ore. --- Jack Mullaney has been named the named the new assistant coach and recruiting coordinator of both the men's and women's cross country programs, announced head coaches Ian Solof and Rob Conner earlier today.
 
"Jack really impressed me with his extremely strong interpersonal communication skills and organization," said men's head coach Rob Conner.  "His experience is in operations, but he is highly motivated by the recruiting challenge as well as working with student-athletes more directly as an assistant coach.  He is a true track junkie and will fit in perfectly!  We are fortunate to have him joining our staff."
 
Mullaney, who is a seven-time marathon finisher and most recently completed the Boston Marathon in April of 2016, comes to the Bluff after serving as the Director of Operations of Cross Country and Track and Field at Utah State University and the operations assistant for Minnesota's track & field and cross country programs. At Utah State, Mullaney directed all home cross country and track and field meets, including the 2016 NCAA Mountain Regional Cross Country Meet and the 2017 Mountain West Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He also executed travel arrangements and booking accommodations for the Aggies. As an undergraduate student worker for Gopher Athletics at Minnesota, he split time between the business office and human resources department, also assisting the staff with coordination of travel, meals, and recruiting activities.

"I am really excited about the opportunity to learn from and work with Coach Conner and Coach Solof," said Mullaney. "The Pilots have consistently competed with the best programs in the country, outperforming what would be expected from a school of this size. That's a testament to great leadership, the character of the Student-Athletes in the program, and the support of the UP community as a whole.  I look forward to being a Pilot, and building upon the continued tradition of success here on the Bluff."

Mullaney also worked as an intern for the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., and as a financial analyst for a manufacturing company in the Twin Cities. A native of Eagan, Minn., he graduated from Minnesota with a degree in finance in 2014.
 
"We are very excited about Jack joining us," said women's head coach Ian Solof. "He will be a major asset with recruiting and helping to continue the elevation of our program."