Track and field coach Scott Winsor announced the hiring of Sean McManus to take over the head coaching position for cross country and distance assistant for track and field.
“Sean is one of the best young distance coaches in the country and will help our program both athletically and academically,â€Â Winsor said.
McManus joins the Bulldogs after spending three seasons as an assistant coach for Florida State University (FSU). While at FSU, McManus assisted coach Bob Braman, coaching the cross country teams as well as working with the distance runners in track and field. McManus played a key role in helping guide the Seminoles men̢۪s track and field team to three consecutive NCAA Championships in 2006-2008, and six Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships.
Not only did he guide the men to a number of successful seasons, but also assisted in the women̢۪s top 25 finishes at the NCAA Championships. During his stay at FSU, McManus̢۪ athletes earned a variety of honors, including three NCAA individual titles, 22 ACC individual championships and 19 All-American accolades.
“I always come in with high expectations,â€Â McManus said. “I hope we improve with each meet and have success both individually and as a team.â€Â
McManus̢۪ high expectations seem realistic as success has followed him everywhere he has gone. Prior to FSU, McManus was an assistant cross country and track coach at Notre Dame from 2001-2005.
McManus was vital in recruiting great athletes who were also great in the classroom.
“I feel it is important to have athletes who bring something more to the table than just their talent on the track,â€Â McManus said.
During his time at Notre Dame, McManus coached 25 All-Americans, 64 All-Big East and 22 All-Great Lakes Region honors, as well as four Academic All-Americans. He helped produce 13 individual Big East champions and two Big East Athletes of the Year.
McManus is no stranger to the NCAA Championships scene as he has helped men̢۪s and women̢۪s cross country squads to multiple appearances. During McManus̢۪ tenure he was also a part of a Notre Dame staff that earned two Big East Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
In addition, McManus served as a volunteer assistant at the University of Florida in 2002-2003 where he assisted the men’s and women’s cross country and distance programs. His resume grew as he helped produce six All-Southeastern Conference, five All-South Region, one All-American and one Academic All-District award winner. “For people who don’t know me, I’m a coach that cares both on and off the field about each individual,â€Â McManus said.
McManus attended Notre Dame from 1996 to 2001 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He competed four years in cross country and track. While running for the Irish, he helped his cross country team to four top-12 team finishes at the NCAA Championships.
He will look to start off in the right direction as a Bulldog when he makes his head coaching debut today at Nevada.
“The luck of the Irishâ€Â
New cross country coach Sean McManus has had extensive coaching success in his career.
̢ۢ At Florida State he lead the Seminoles to three NCAA Championships and six Atlantic Coast Conference titles.
̢ۢMcManus was an assistant at his alma mater of Notre Dame and coached 13 athletes to Big East championships.
̢ۢAs a runner for the Fighting Irish himself, he helped his team to four top-12 finishes at the NCAA Championships.
The Fresno State cross country program has added a key component to its staff for the upcoming season.
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