Background & Education

Cornfield started at NAU as a Graduate Assistant Coach under Eric Heins while pursuing a Master’s in Educational Leadership. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Liberty University, where he competed in cross country and track & field, laying the foundation for his coaching philosophy centered on athlete development, discipline, and innovation.

Recruiting & Athlete Development

Cornfield has earned a reputation as one of collegiate distance running’s top recruiters, attracting elite national and international talent. His eye for identifying athletes with both competitive ability and cultural fit continued NAU’s tradition of excellence while expanding its global reach. Many of his recruits have achieved All-American status, NCAA titles, and post-collegiate success, including Olympians and professional athletes.

Mentorship & Development

Cornfield attributes much of his success to the guidance and mentorship of two of NAU’s most influential figures in distance running:

• Mike Smith – Director of Cross Country and Track & Field from 2016–2025, whose leadership built NAU into a national powerhouse and established a culture of championship excellence. Cornfield learned program-building, athlete management, and national-level competition strategies directly from Smith, preparing him to sustain and grow the Lumberjack legacy.

• Eric Heins – Under whom Cornfield began his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant. Heins instilled the fundamentals of coaching, recruiting, and technical expertise, providing Cornfield with an early blueprint for developing elite athletes and fostering team cohesion.

Recent Seasons & Athlete Achievements

Under Coach Cornfield’s leadership, Northern Arizona’s distance program has cemented itself among the nation’s most dominant forces. His athletes have produced multiple NCAA records, Big Sky titles, and All-American performances across both cross country and track.

• In 2024, Nico Young delivered one of the most memorable performances in collegiate distance history, breaking the NCAA 10,000-meter record with a time of 26:52.72 — also an NAU and Big Sky record.

• Colin Sahlman added to the historic season by clocking 3:33.96 in the 1,500m, the second-fastest mark in NCAA history, and setting school and conference records in the 800m (1:45.63).

Cornfield’s squads consistently produce dozens of All-Americans each year, with multiple athletes qualifying for the NCAA Championships annually. NAU distance runners have won individual NCAA titles, conference sweeps in both indoor and outdoor track, and numerous Big Sky crowns in cross country.

The combination of record-setting individual brilliance and deep team success continues to reinforce NAU as the premier destination for collegiate distance running.

Legacy & Leadership

Cornfield’s coaching is rooted in the lessons of his mentors, blending championship vision with technical mastery. He is deeply committed to developing both elite athletes and well-rounded individuals, emphasizing mental toughness, academic success, and personal growth.

Off the track, Cornfield is a family-oriented leader who values balance, drawing inspiration from his spouse and children, and often credits their support as key to his dedication and longevity in the sport.