Bernard Lagat named as interim assistant track & cross country coach at Arizona...

TUCSON, Arizona--The University of Arizona didn't have to look very far to round out its cross country and track & field staff after the retirement of James Li earlier this week.

Washington State University athletic hall of fame member and Tucson resident Bernard Lagat (photo by Paul Merca) was named as an assistant track and cross country coach for the Wildcats for the 2020-21 academic year, to work under former Wildcat head coach Dave Murray, who came out of retirement to become the head cross country and distance coach for the rest of the school year.

Both, along with former Catalina Foothills HS distance coach Doug Keen, will have the task of replacing James Li, who announced his retirement earlier this week.

While running professionally, Lagat, one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time, has been a volunteer assistant coach at Arizona for 15 years, while under the tutelage of Li, who coached him at Washington State before taking the job as Wildcat associate head coach. 

In a prepared statement on the University of Arizona website, Lagat said, "I am honored to join (Wildcat head coach) Fred Harvey and be a part of the Arizona cross country and track & field program." 

"Having been a volunteer assistant coach for the last 15 years, I have gotten to know many of the great student-athletes that continue to proudly represent the University of Arizona. I look forward to passing on the knowledge and experiences that I have gained as a student-athlete and professional. It is a privilege for me to follow in coach Li's footsteps and lead the next generation of Wildcats to success on and off the track."

Murray said, "Bernard and Doug are going to be great coaches, and I am looking forward to helping them in any way I can, whether that is being a counselor, a mentor, or providing any coaching tips to them."

The University of Arizona news release is available here.

NOTE:  The sports information offices of the University of Arizona contributed to this report.

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