FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Aug. 26, 2024) – After eight years coaching the Northern Arizona cross country and track and field programs, NAU's Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Marlow has announced that
Michael Smith will step down as Director of Cross Country & Track and Field at the conclusion of the 2024-25 seasons to pursue professional coaching opportunities.
The Lumberjacks will not have to go far to find Smith's replacement, as current associate head coach of distance and mid-distance,
Jarred Cornfield, will step into the role with nine years of experience within the program, effective July 2025. Cornfield joined the program as a graduate assistant in 2015 under former head coach, Eric Heins. He has been alongside Smith in an assistant coach and an associate head coach role since 2016.
Cornfield's transition into the director role will assure NAU can maintain its national prominence and high standards of a championship program.
"Built by all those who came before him, Mike Smith has fortified and expanded an extremely solid foundation of NAU Cross Country/Track and Field. I am thankful that Mike is committed to finishing the 2024-25 academic year as NAU's Director and Head Coach prior to assuming a new and exciting chapter in what is surely a National Hall of Fame career," stated Marlow. "To have
Jarred Cornfield ready, willing and more than able to assume the reins this coming July speaks volumes of not only his role in the success of the program, but his recruiting prowess and being the firsthand beneficiary of the guidance and mentoring of Mike Smith. Both Mike and Jarred share a crystal-clear vision for the future success of the program and a deep love for the Flagstaff community."
Smith played an instrumental role in lifting the Lumberjacks to national recognition and success. He joined the staff in August of 2016 and assisted in coaching the 2016 NCAA National Championship winning men's cross country team under Heins. It was NAU's first-ever national title and the Big Sky Conference's first national championship in a sport other than football.
"For the past eight years I have lived out a professional dream coaching at Northern Arizona University. It has been my greatest privilege to work with the most loyal and brave student athletes a coach could ask for," said Smith. "We walked a path together through unforgettable moments in our sport, yet I was always most proud of who they became and who they were to each other along the way. It's been an honor of a lifetime to coach at NAU."
In the Spring of 2017, Smith took over for Heins at the helm of the program and continued the rise to the top, winning national men's cross country titles in 2017 and 2018 to become the first non-power five school to win at least three consecutive national championships since the 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981 UTEP teams. After a runner-up finish in 2019, the Lumberjack men repeated the three-peat with national titles in 2020, 2021 and 2022 under Smith.
"My wife Rachel and I want to express gratitude for the amazing NAU community we have been a part of. We received unyielding support from past President Rita Cheng and current President José Luis Cruz Rivera. Lastly, our success would have been impossible without the guidance and leadership of Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Mike Marlow," added Smith. "I am proud and excited to hand over the reins to Associate Head Coach
Jarred Cornfield, who has been by my side for every inch of this journey at NAU. There is no one I trust more to carry on the great tradition of this program and lead our student athletes with integrity and heart."
"I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to be entrusted with the future leadership of this wonderful program. Thank you to Mike Marlow and Mike Smith for amazing support in this transition," said Cornfield. "The support from NAU Athletics, the Lumberjacks, and the Flagstaff community makes success possible for the cross country and track and field teams."
In addition to five national men's cross country titles, Smith has coached 35 Big Sky Championship squads.
"As we enter Coach Mike Smith's last season, recognizing that his leadership and dedication have elevated our cross country and track and field programs to new heights, we are also thrilled to have our very own Associate Head Coach
Jarred Cornfield continue this work as he takes on the role of Head Coach in Waiting," said NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera. "This seamless transition is a testament to Coach Smith's deep commitment to the success of our student athletes and the continued excellence of our program, and I look forward to a great season ahead for our Lumberjacks."
Under Smith, the men's cross country program has never finished lower than second at the national championships. In 2023-24, the women's program earned its best finish at the national meet since 1992, finishing runner-up with three athletes in the top-20.
He has earned several accolades throughout the years and owns the distinction of being a 34-time Big Sky Coach of the Year, seven-time Chick Hislop USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year, seven-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Coach of the Year, five-time Bill Dellinger award winner for the National Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year, and one USTFCCCA National Men's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year award.
Additionally, Smith has coached three student-athletes to four NCAA records that still stand today including
Nico Young outdoors in the 10,000-meters (26:52.72, 2024) and indoors in the 5,000-meters (12:57.14, 2024),
Drew Bosley indoors in the 3,000-meters (7:36.42, 2024), and Abdihamid Nur outdoors in the 5,000-meters (13:06.32, 2022).
He has guided four individuals to six national titles including the 2018 indoor 3,000-meter champion, Andy Trouard, and 2019 indoor mile champion, Geordie Beamish. Twice he has coached athletes to two indoor titles in the 3,000-meters and the 5,000-meters, beginning with Nur in 2022 and Young in 2024.
A total of 27 Big Sky Conference records between men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field are currently held by athletes Smith has coached. On a national level, seven of Smith's former NAU track and field athletes have gone on to compete in the Olympics, five of which were distance runners.
Smith began his collegiate coaching career at Georgetown University. He spent four years there, serving as the Director and Head Coach of the Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track & Field programs during the 2015-16 season. Smith found great success with the Hoyas, coaching the 2016 NCAA Champion Women's Distance Medley Relay. In 2015, the Georgetown men's cross country team won the Big East Championship, later placing 10th at the NCAA National Championships. During his time at Georgetown, Smith coached 47 All-Americans, 23 NCAA Championship qualifiers, and two Olympic Trials participants.
"I am excited to remain in Flagstaff as both a fan and supporter of Coach Cornfield's chapter of leadership at NAU, as well as continuing my work within the greater Flagstaff running community, concluded Smith. "For now, I am focused on the work ahead of us for the 2024-25 seasons."
Cornfield attended Liberty University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Sports Management and competed as a member of the cross country team as well as the track & field team. Cornfield later attended NAU where he earned his master's degree in Educational Leadership and began his coaching career.
"I've worked side-by-side with Mike Smith for eight year and I'll forever be grateful for his mentorship, leadership and belief in me. He is truly one of the best ever to coach in the NCAA and I'm excited to celebrate him and work hard in this final year working together as Lumberjacks," concluded Cornfield.
Smith will remain at the head of the program through the conclusion of the 2024-25 cross country and track and field seasons. The NAU cross country programs kick off the season on Saturday, Aug. 31 by hosting the annual George Kyte Classic in Flagstaff, Ariz.
