Vin Lananna, Director of Track and Field

Vin Lananna, head coach of the national champion Oregon Ducks cross country team, has left a legacy at each school he has competed and coached for. Since his 2005 hiring at UO, the men’s cross country…
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Vin Lananna, head coach of the national champion Oregon Ducks cross country team, has left a legacy at each school he has competed and coached for. Since his 2005 hiring at UO, the men’s cross country…
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Vin Lananna, head coach of the national champion Oregon Ducks cross country team, has left a legacy at each school he has competed and coached for.

Since his 2005 hiring at UO, the men’s cross country team improved from sixth place Pac-10 and regional team finishes to win conference and regional team titles and sweep the Pac-10 Athlete, Newcomer and Coach of the Year honors. In the NCAA finale where the team was led by World Championship qualifier Galen Rupp, Oregon added fifth place and two All-American honors.

Lananna’s success helped put Eugene on the map when the city was granted the privilege of hosting the 2008 Olympic Trials. Track and field events are selling out crowds and surging enthusiasm for the once under covered sport.

Lananna accepted his position as the director of track and field at Oregon after coaching two years at Oberlin College. At Oberlin he helped revitalize the athletics department and physical education, raise revenue and fund athletic facility enhancement projects.

Lananna is perhaps best known of coaching Olympic and World Champions and developing the nation’s most respected track and field program at Stanford University.

For a peak at Lananna’s background and coaching strategies, visit the Interviews page on Flotrack.org