NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Athletics family has suffered a great loss with the passing of Hall of Fame cross country/track and field coach John Coughlan.
Coughlan is the most decorated cross country/track and field coach in Redbird history, having guided the ISU men's program for 23 seasons and the women's squad for eight campaigns. Retiring from Illinois State following the 2000 MVC Outdoor Championship, his tenure included five top-25 team finishes at the NCAA Championships, 25 MVC championships, 291 individual conference champions and 19 MVC Athletes of the Year.
"Coach Coughlan is a legend in the sport of track and field and cross country and has mentored generations of coaches across the country," ISU Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee said.