Maurica & Andy Powell to receive contract extensions to lead the Husky track/XC programs...

Maurica Powell (Paul Merca photo)

SEATTLE--You can remove the names of University of Washington director of track and cross country Maurica Powell, and Husky head track & cross country coach Andy Powell off the list of potential candidates to replace Robert Johnson as the head track and field coach at the University of Oregon.

A source within the senior leadership in the University of Washington athletic department told paulmerca.blogspot.com that the husband and wife team are finalizing a deal that would extend the contracts of the duo until the end of the 2028-29 school year.

The school is expected to announce the contract extension of the Powells sometime next week after the conclusion of the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene.

While it was widely known that Johnson's contract as the head coach of the University of Oregon track and cross country programs was up at the end of the month, there was speculation dating back to a late October story in The Oregonian alleging body shaming in the Oregon track program.

Andy Powell (in cap) speaks to the team before the 
NCAA West Regional cross country meet
(Paul Merca photo)

The Powells were among the key cogs to the success of the Oregon program during their time as assistant coaches under Vin Lananna and Johnson between 2005 and 2018, when they took over the Husky program after Greg Metcalf was removed. 

Naturally, there was talk that with Johnson's status up in the air and their past successes as assistant coaches at the school, that Oregon would entertain thoughts of making a run at hiring the Powells away from Washington.

The speculation on Johnson's status intensified at both the Pac-12 championships in Eugene last month and at the NCAA championships two weeks ago, when Sarah Lorge Butler of Runner's World asked Johnson point blank at the pre-meet press conference about online rumors this season would be his last in Eugene, to which he replied, "Haven't seen it."

UPDATE (JUNE 27TH):  As expected, the University of Washington formally announced the contract extensions for Maurica and Andy Powell Monday.

In a statement, Washington athletic director Jennifer Cohen said, ""We couldn't be more excited to extend Maurica and Andy. They are elite coaches who have made an incredible impact on our cross country and track & field programs. They have established a culture of excellence that has UW competing at the highest levels nationally and we can't wait to see them continue to build on that success on Montlake."

"We're honored and humbled by the extraordinary opportunity to continue building this program here at the University of Washington, and are truly grateful for the leadership of Jen Cohen, Erin O'Connell, and Jamaal Walton as we move forward," said Maurica and Andy Powell. "We are beyond excited for the years to come."

Washington's release is available here.

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