University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced the retirement of Cross Country and Track & Field head coach Bill Gautier today. Gautier has served as the head of the Mocs’ running programs for 24 years, winning 12 different Southern Conference team titles in men’s and women’s cross country and indoor track during his tenure.
“We are grateful for Coach Gautier’s years of service and our student-athletes’ success in the classroom, in competition and in the community,” stated Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics David Blackburn.
“We will begin a search for a new head coach immediately.”
The 2015 season was the third time in the last five years the men’s cross country team posted the highest team GPA in the nation. The women were eighth a year ago and have been in the top-25 for six consecutive seasons.
The women open the cross country season at Jacksonville State on Sept. 2, while the men are on the road at Belmont on Sept. 3. Both teams are scheduled to compete in UTC’s first home event of the year at the PowerAde Invitational at Moccasin Bend on Sept. 9.