Leadership Changes to Track & Field and Cross Country Programs Announced

[Tango Two]

Rutgers University Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs today announced leadership changes in the men's and women's track & field and cross country programs. Robert Farrell will serve as director of track & field and cross country and Mike Mulqueen will transition to men's and women's cross country head coach. The contract of James Robinson will not be renewed.


https://scarletknights.com/news/201...eld-and-cross-country-programs-announced.aspx

 

[bigmatt718]

Hobbs is not F'ing around. That's 3 spring Olympic sport coaches shown the door now. Ferrell will kill it as Mens T&F HC and I hope Mulqueen can get XC going.

 

[newell138]

Hobbs is not F'ing around. That's 3 spring Olympic sport coaches shown the door now. Ferrell will kill it as Mens T&F HC and I hope Mulqueen can get XC going.

Not familiar with Ferrell's background but Robinson had plenty of time to get the women's team going and did absolutely nothing in his time here. He was way past due getting the ax. I'm surprised at the news for Mulqueen getting the XC teams. Thats a huge demotion for Mike, I'm surprised he didn't just retire, he has over 30 years in. I don't think anything will change for XC though, little financial support in terms of scholarships since they also count against track. They aren't wasting $$ on a long distance guy, they will put the money towards guys who can multi-event on the track or field or both.

I'll be rooting for Ferrell, NJ has a wealth of track and field talent on the HS level and we aren't getting much of it to come to RU. Mario Heslop from Franklin HS is a perfect example, he could have done well at RU but maybe he wanted to go away to NCA&T? Coach Tomlinson has shown if you are a sprinter you can compete with the best in the country if you come to RU, so not happy to see that kid get away.

 

[ouchmyknee]

I know Coach Farrell really well. He’s one hell of a coach with an amazing track record churning out champions and all-Americans in his field events at RU. The guy is obsessed with the sport of track and field, which is a big deal. Hell do a great job.

 

[newell138]

Would have liked to see Lou Tomlinson as the head coach instead of keeping him as a part timer

 

[RUBeta]

I'm a bit miffed at this announcement. I think Farrell can do a good job, he seems to have the jumps group performing well the past few years but we still need to see him deliver comprehensive team performances at the Big Tens and show an ability to get athletes to regionals in good health.

The re-assignment of Mulqueen to oversee the cross-country programs I don't like. He's been at Rutgers for 25-30+ years and shown no ability to deliver quality results in XC. I would have liked Hobbs to hire a young coach looking to make an impact. It's an attractive position even with small dollars and no history of success, it's a coaching position in the Big Ten. I'd assume it's a gesture given Mulqueen's tenure and he'll be retiring in the coming years.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I'm a bit miffed at this announcement. I think Farrell can do a good job, he seems to have the jumps group performing well the past few years but we still need to see him deliver comprehensive team performances at the Big Tens and show an ability to get athletes to regionals in good health.

The re-assignment of Mulqueen to oversee the cross-country programs I don't like. He's been at Rutgers for 25-30+ years and shown no ability to deliver quality results in XC. I would have liked Hobbs to hire a young coach looking to make an impact. It's an attractive position even with small dollars and no history of success, it's a coaching position in the Big Ten. I'd assume it's a gesture given Mulqueen's tenure and he'll be retiring in the coming years.

My thoughts:

- 2 other much more important hires to deal with right now

- Ferrell as “Director of Track and Field AND CC,” IMHO, leaves the door open to hire either a Men’s HC and Women’s HC, or Sprint/Distance-specific Co-HC’s aa he covers field events.

- Mulqueen. I’m not gonna say anything bad about the guy, he treated me nicely and seemed a decent guy when I worked there, but this is getting ridiculous. The guy has done nothing throughout his career, in terms of bringing titles other than regional ones (often without major regional competition), to this program. No conference championships, in 30 years. ‘Nuff said.

That being said my guess is Pat has a plan, moving forward, and knows that future CC success is the biggest stretch here (of the 3 programs) so is not in a rush.

 

[RUBeta]

My thoughts:

- 2 other much more important hires to deal with right now

- Ferrell as “Director of Track and Field AND CC,” IMHO, leaves the door open to hire either a Men’s HC and Women’s HC, or Sprint/Distance-specific Co-HC’s aa he covers field events.

- Mulqueen. I’m not gonna say anything bad about the guy, he treated me nicely and seemed a decent guy when I worked there, but this is getting ridiculous. The guy has done nothing throughout his career, in terms of bringing titles other than regional ones (often without major regional competition), to this program. No conference championships, in 30 years. ‘Nuff said.

That being said my guess is Pat has a plan, moving forward, and knows that future CC success is the biggest stretch here (of the 3 programs) so is not in a rush.

Agreed Nuts, all valid and good points.

 

[newell138]

My thoughts:

- 2 other much more important hires to deal with right now

- Ferrell as “Director of Track and Field AND CC,” IMHO, leaves the door open to hire either a Men’s HC and Women’s HC, or Sprint/Distance-specific Co-HC’s aa he covers field events.

- Mulqueen. I’m not gonna say anything bad about the guy, he treated me nicely and seemed a decent guy when I worked there, but this is getting ridiculous. The guy has done nothing throughout his career, in terms of bringing titles other than regional ones (often without major regional competition), to this program. No conference championships, in 30 years. ‘Nuff said.

That being said my guess is Pat has a plan, moving forward, and knows that future CC success is the biggest stretch here (of the 3 programs) so is not in a rush.

Mike did win a Big East title, thats nothing to sneeze at.

Mike Mulqueen, a six-time conference coach of the year and five-time NCAA District Coach of the Year, begins his 37th season as the head coach of the Rutgers men's track and field and cross country teams and his 40th season overall at the University in 2018-19. Mulqueen has achieved a number of milestones during his decorated career as the head of the Scarlet Knights, which includes 27 Metropolitan team champioships, 50 All-Americans, 279 Metropolitan Champions, 52 IC4A Champions, 10 Big Ten Champions, 415 All-East selections, and a BIG EAST team title in 2005


Robinson is the guy who has done nothing in his tenure and he was FULLY FUNDED. Mike was limping along with limited scholarships for many years. I also hear Robinson was asked to stay away from the team a few months ago, not sure what happened but Mike and staff were running both programs this spring.

We will never be competitive in XC until they get more $$. RIght now those schollies are shared with track, so no point wasting them on a guy who can run 1 race at the BIG meet. Its my understanding there will be no full time head coach for the men or women, all of Ferrells assistants will be part time and that pays about 45K per year. I would have liked to see Lou Tomlinson get the director spot myself. The guy is a great coach and recruiter.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Mike did win a Big East title, thats nothing to sneeze at.

Mike Mulqueen, a six-time conference coach of the year and five-time NCAA District Coach of the Year, begins his 37th season as the head coach of the Rutgers men's track and field and cross country teams and his 40th season overall at the University in 2018-19. Mulqueen has achieved a number of milestones during his decorated career as the head of the Scarlet Knights, which includes 27 Metropolitan team champioships, 50 All-Americans, 279 Metropolitan Champions, 52 IC4A Champions, 10 Big Ten Champions, 415 All-East selections, and a BIG EAST team title in 2005


Robinson is the guy who has done nothing in his tenure and he was FULLY FUNDED. Mike was limping along with limited scholarships for many years. I also hear Robinson was asked to stay away from the team a few months ago, not sure what happened but Mike and staff were running both programs this spring.

We will never be competitive in XC until they get more $$. RIght now those schollies are shared with track, so no point wasting them on a guy who can run 1 race at the BIG meet. Its my understanding there will be no full time head coach for the men or women, all of Ferrells assistants will be part time and that pays about 45K per year. I would have liked to see Lou Tomlinson get the director spot myself. The guy is a great coach and recruiter.

OHHHHH MY BAD lol!! 1 title in 37 - THIRTY SEVEN - seasons!!! Sorry, but that’s AWFU (and it’s actually 74 seasons: 37 years x 2 seasons/year).

 

[newell138]

OHHHHH MY BAD lol!! 1 title in 37 - THIRTY SEVEN - seasons!!! Sorry, but that’s AWFU (and it’s actually 74 seasons: 37 years x 2 seasons/year).

I agree they have under performed but like I said for MANY years he was competing against schools that were fully funded and more, IE, Villanova and Georgetown. These are legendary programs, to beat them for the Big East title is pretty impressive. Has any other coach won a conference title here at RU, besides Flood when the entire conference won the title?

I'm not saying it wasn't time for a change but give the guy some credit. He wasn't a failure like most of the other Olympic sports during his tenure

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I agree they have under performed but like I said for MANY years he was competing against schools that were fully funded and more, IE, Villanova and Georgetown. These are legendary programs, to beat them for the Big East title is pretty impressive. Has any other coach won a conference title here at RU, besides Flood when the entire conference won the title?

I'm not saying it wasn't time for a change but give the guy some credit. He wasn't a failure like most of the other Olympic sports during his tenure

Fair enough!