"Director of Track and Field Operations" --

[no one]

.... is this a position that most programs have? or have been out of the loop that long? Answer only the first question. I've never heard of that position until recently ...

[Smoke]

There are a number of "Director" Positions. I do not know the origin but I do know this is a fancy name for Head Coach. Not to demean anyone, just saying we have graduated from Head Coach to Director of...

I have to assume there is a reason for the recent name changes.

[guru]

I do not know the origin but I do know this is a fancy name for Head Coach. Not to demean anyone, just saying we have graduated from Head Coach to Director of...

At least as far as basketball is concerned, it is a seperate position from the head coach. I suspect it's the same for any collegiate sport that has the position.

The responsibilities of a "Director of Operations", from the Duke website -

"Organizes several office activities, including scouting video, overseeing film exchange, and assisting the coaches in day-to-day operations. He also oversees and helps with a number of logistical duties, including practice coordination and team travel."

[dl]

"Director of Track & Field" is the head track coach (ex. Vin, Floreal). Not sure if it's meant to give more cachet, or just to differentiate from an assistant who might be the head cross coach.

"Director of Operations" is the person who's usually in charge of meets, recruiting coordination, travel, budgeting, etc. This person usually doesn't coach and , if that is the case, does not count toward a program's allotment of coaches.

[Marlow]

"Director of Track & Field" is the head track coach

There are many situations (at least in other sports that I am aware of) where that is NOT true. it's an honorary title given when they boot a coach upstairs (or s/he semi-retires) and s/he no longer has any coaching responsibilities, but still has an office (and a title). They may still have administrative duties, or talk to recruits, but do not have a say in the actual running of the day-to-day operation.

[jkjoregon]

At Oregon, it looks like the "Director of Track & Field Operations" is part of the administrative team..

You have:

Vince Lananna - Associate Athletic Director 8-)
Dan Steele-Associate Director of Track & Field
Then various Assistant Coaches...

Then the administrative staff...

Assistant Athletic Director
"continues to oversee the integration of the program's administrative area within the athletics department and serves as home event meet director." Came over with Vince Lananna from Oberlin.

Director of Track & Field Operations
"oversees key aspects of the UO program that relate to alumni relations, marketing,special events, home meets, and major events such as the 2008 Olympic Trials."

note: Colleen Wrenn, the "Director of Track and Field Operations" is a Phi Beta Kappa summa cum laude from the College of William and Mary, and came with Vince from Oberlin. She has a master's degree in sports administration.

Track & Field Assistant
" roles in home meets, special events and public relations"

I realize the UO Track & Field Staff may be larger than at most schools, but the Director of Track & Field Operations clearly has an important role. 8-)

[KevinM]

I realize the UO Track & Field Staff may be larger than at most schools

Um yeah, that's an understatement. Who comes close?

[Smoke]

Well I have yet to see a track program where the Director of track and field is not the head coach. Vin had the title when he was hired and I know Ron Allice has a similar title at USC.

So we have various positions and degrees of authority. Any other variations out there?

[dl]

"Director of Track & Field" is the head track coach

There are many situations (at least in other sports that I am aware of) where that is NOT true. it's an honorary title given when they boot a coach upstairs (or s/he semi-retires) and s/he no longer has any coaching responsibilities, but still has an office (and a title). They may still have administrative duties, or talk to recruits, but do not have a say in the actual running of the day-to-day operation.

Any examples in T&F? Maybe that can happen in football, but track is limited to 6 coaches in a combined program, 3 in a single-sex program. Anyone who talks to recruits must be one of those coaches (I believe they recently ruled that administrative members of the staff, such as the Director of Operations, can not talk to recruits unless one of the other coaches does not).

There are emeritus coaches, like Mel Rosen at Auburn.

[EPelle]

"Director of Operations" is the person who's usually in charge of meets, recruiting coordination, travel, budgeting, etc. This person usually doesn't coach and , if that is the case, does not count toward a program's allotment of coaches.

Cal has one, but the caveat is that he is also an assistant coach.

[KevinM]

"Director of Track & Field" is the head track coach

There are many situations (at least in other sports that I am aware of) where that is NOT true. it's an honorary title given when they boot a coach upstairs (or s/he semi-retires) and s/he no longer has any coaching responsibilities, but still has an office (and a title). They may still have administrative duties, or talk to recruits, but do not have a say in the actual running of the day-to-day operation.

Any examples in T&F? Maybe that can happen in football, but track is limited to 6 coaches in a combined program, 3 in a single-sex program. Anyone who talks to recruits must be one of those coaches (I believe they recently ruled that administrative members of the staff, such as the Director of Operations, can not talk to recruits unless one of the other coaches does not).

There are emeritus coaches, like Mel Rosen at Auburn.

Clyde Hart may be another example of what Marlow is describing. His title at Baylor is now "Director of Track & Field/400 Meters".