June 18, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri head track and field coach Rick McGuire announced today (June 18) that Jared Wilmes is stepping down from his position as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach. Wilmes will step down in July and at that time current cross country and track and field assistant coach Rebecca Wilmes will be named interim head men's and women's cross country coach.

"I have been involved with the University of Missouri track and field program for over 20 years, first as a student-athlete, then as a graduate assistant coach and the last 10 as the head cross Country coach/assistant track and field coach, so this decision is a difficult one for me," Wilmes said. "But with both Rebecca and me coaching and recruiting, and two young school-age children, and the travel demands of a three-sport coach, it became obvious to me that now was time for me to step down from my coaching position. In weighing all the pieces, I believe that this move is in the best interest of my family. I would like to thank Coach McGuire and the University of Missouri for this great opportunity. The University of Missouri is a very special place for me. I will cherish the relationships and experiences I had while competing and working for the Tigers."

"Jared has been such an integral part of our program for so many years, and I know that he will be missed," McGuire said. "He was actually my first significant home grown, in-state male recruit back in 1989, and he went on to become the cornerstone of the foundation for many strong Missouri men's track teams that followed. As a middle distance runner, Jared won the 1995 Big 12 800m championship and was a four-time NCAA All American.

"Jared was always a great competitor, whether in uniform as an athlete or from the sidelines as a coach," McGuire added. "He especially found great joy in beating Kansas. It has been great to have Jared serving by my side on our staff for these past 10 years. I completely respect Jared and the plans he is making for the future for his family."

"We are very appreciative of Jared's service to the University of Missouri both as a student-athlete and a coach," senior associate athletic director Mark Alnutt said. "We understand that this was a difficult decision but we feel that it is the right decision for Jared and his family. I wish Jared nothing but the best in his future endeavors. At the same time, we are pleased to announce that Rebecca Wilmes has been named interim head men's and women's cross country coach once Jared steps down in July. We are very excited about the future and continued growth of our track and field and cross country programs with Brett Halter and Rebecca Wilmes at the appropriate helms."

"I support and admire Jared's future plans," current interim head track and field coach Brett Halter said. "I know he we will take into the next chapter of his life the same tenacity, pride, sense of duty and integrity he has displayed as both an athlete and a coach. He is, and always will be, a proud Mizzou alumnus and I know his contributions to the rich history of our track and field program will never go unnoticed nor be forgotten."

During his 11 years as the head cross country coach at Mizzou, Wilmes has coached at least one runner to each of the past six NCAA Cross Country Championships and has mentored 11 combined track and field and cross country All-Americans. Wilmes also coached five teams to NCAA Cross Country appearances and mentored two NCAA Regional Champion teams. He also saw both Ann Marie Brooks (2001) and Amanda Bales (2003) earn All-America honors on the cross country circuit during his time as the head coach. Aside from the two women to earn All-America honors, nine additional track athletes have earned All-America honors under his tutelage. He also coached Derrick Peterson who was an Olympian in 2004.

Wilmes has led the men's cross country team to top-six Big 12 finishes in five of the last seven seasons and the mentored the women's team to top-six finishes in four of the last nine seasons. Most recently, Kaitie Vanatta earned All-Big 12 and All-Midwest Region honors as a member of the 2009 cross country team. Wilmes also led both Blake Irwin and Aaron Dixon to berths at the 2010 NCAA Championships just last week where the two both finished among the top 24 runners in the nation.

Wilmes, a Hopkins, Mo., native, has been a mainstay at the University of Missouri. Involved in Mizzou athletics for nearly 20 years as a student-athlete, coach and staff member, Wilmes competed at Mizzou from 1990-95 and developed into one of the best middle distance athletes in program history. In addition to earning four All-American titles, the three-time team captain was a Big Eight champion in the 800m run and claimed multiple wins at the prestigious Drake, Kansas and Florida relays. The winner of several Academic All-America awards, Wilmes was a magna cum laude 1994 honors graduate at Mizzou, earning a dual degree in agricultural economics and business. Wilmes served as a graduate assistant coach for Missouri track and cross country for three years (1995-98) and stayed on with the athletic department for the next two years as an economic analyst in the Tiger business office. During his days as a graduate assistant, Wilmes was involved in all aspects of the program, including a heavy focus on recruiting.

Wilmes will continue to coach until both Irwin and Dixon compete at the USATF Championships later this month. For all the latest on Mizzou track and field/cross country, stay tuned to MUTigers.com.

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