Dr. James Li, who began coaching career at WSU, retires from University of Arizona...

TUCSON, Arizona--Dr. James Li (left/photo by Paul Merca), one of the nation's most respected distance coaches, and the longtime coach of one of this country's most successful middle distance talents in Bernard Lagat, announced Tuesday his retirement from the University of Arizona, where he was the associate head coach for the school's track and cross country teams.

Li had been at Arizona for 18 years, beginning as the distance coach for the Wildcats, before becoming the school's associate head coach.

Before his stint at Arizona, he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Washington State under legendary coach John Chaplin in 1985. after coming to America from China as one of the country's' top middle distance runners.  

Li received his master's degree in biomechanics from Washington State in 1987 and his doctorate in educational athletic administration in 1993.

After receiving his masters' from WSU, he spent four seasons as the head men's coach at Minnesota State University at Mankato, before returning to WSU to get his doctorate.

Li rejoined the Washington State men's staff in 1994 and began coaching the men’s and women's distance runners in 1995 when the Cougars combined their track and field and cross country programs. Li was named the Cougars’ head cross country coach in 1998.

At WSU, Li recruited and coached distance great Bernard Lagat. Behind Li's guidance, Lagat won four NCAA titles and was named the NCAA Division I National Indoor Runner of the Year and the Pac-10 Runner of the Year in 1999. Li continued to coach Lagat during his post-collegiate years and he was ranked among the top four runners in the world in the 1,500 meters 10 out of the past 11 years.

In fact, Lagat, who was studying for his masters degree at WSU upon graduation, followed Li to Tucson when he was hired at Arizona.

Lagat's resume under Li's tutelage includes a bronze and a silver medal in the 1500 at the Olympics, six outdoor world championship medals (including two golds in 2007 in Osaka, where he won both the 1500 and 5000), and three world indoor titles at 3000 meters.

Li has also been selected as a staff member to a number of U.S. National Teams and as the head manager for the men of Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Li has spoken and presented at numerous local, national and international coaches' clinics and educational programs. In 2006, Li earned the "Chief Coach Certificate," the highest designation under the IAAF (now World Athletics) Coaches' Education Program.

In a prepared statement from the University of Arizona, Li said, "I am profoundly grateful that I've had the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated and talented student-athletes here at the University of Arizona."  

"I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the University and to the many colleagues who have supported me and our program. I am proud of the contributions I have been able to make to the program and the university community." 

According to Fred Harvey, Arizona's director of track & cross country, "Working with Dr. Li made myself and everyone a better coach and person. His ability to identify and develop talent is unrivaled at any level as witnessed by his 24 Pac-12 Track and Field and Cross Country Champions and 10 NCAA Champions. Only three other current NCAA coaches have done more."

In recent months, there were allegations of neglectful practices within the program, leading to several members of the Wildcat distance group leaving the school & team.

Former Arizona head coach Dave Murray will come out of retirement to coach the distance runners at the school through the remainder of the school year.

The Arizona release is available here.

UW ALUM NEALE WINS WOMEN'S OPEN RACE AT XC TOWN USA MEET OF CHAMPIONS...

Last Saturday (November 14), University of Washington alum Amy-Eloise Neale won the women's open section of the XC Town USA Meet of Champions at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Held in conjunction with the XC Town USA Meet of Champions high school meet, Neale took a one-second win over Emma Wilson, running 20:18 over the 6k course that has been the home for the NCAA cross country championships.

Complete results of the XC Town USA Meet of Champions are available here.

NOTE:  The sports information offices of the University of Arizona, Washington State University, and media partner RunnerSpace.com contributed to this report.

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