Albuquerque Journal · Dec 15, 2021
Butler, assistant coach for UNM cross country program, dies
James Butler was a champion runner at Eldorado High and helped coach champions in track and cross country, most recently at UNM. He died recently at page 41. (Courtesy of UNM Athletics)James Butler, a star runner and coach at Eldorado High who later helped coach the powerful University of New Mexico cross country program and Olympian Courtney Frerichs, died Dec. 3 at age 41.
UNM announced his passing on Tuesday but gave no cause of death.
“Jimmy was an integral part of our Lobo family,” said UNM head coach Joe Franklin in a statement provided by the school. “He helped build New Mexico into one of the best programs in NCAA history. He will be dearly missed.”