2012 Olympian Julie Culley was promoted to interim director of track and field at Georgetown University on Thursday. The decision follows the departure of former Hoya head coach Mike Smith who accepted the director role at Northern Arizona University in August.

Along with Culley's promotion, Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed also announced that Hoya alum Alton McKenzie would be added to the staff as the associate head coach of the track and field program. Brandon Bonsey was promoted as the head men's cross country coach in July.

"It is an incredible honor to assume the role of interim director of track and field at Georgetown and carry the tradition of excellence this program has achieved," Culley said. "Georgetown's storied history on a national and international level and the great leaders who have commanded this program serve as an inspiration to our staff and athletes. We look forward to this new chapter here on the Hilltop, one filled with academic and athletic excellence in the spirit of the Jesuit tradition."

Culley held the position of assistant coach for two years before receiving the promotion. During the 2015-16 season, the Georgetown squad recorded breakthrough performances, notably the men's cross country team's 10th-place NCAA finish, the women's distance medley relay team's victory at the NCAA Indoor Championships, and two Penn Relays championship wheels.

Culley's professional running career is highlighted by a victory in the 5K at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. She went on to finish 14th in the London Olympic final.