Head XC Coach Paul Spangler:

Paul Spangler is currently in his eighth season as Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track & Field Coach at VMI.

He comes off a 2009 Cross Country season which saw him earn his first Coach of the Year honor, the Women's Big South COTY award, on the strength of a runner-up finish for the Keydet women that was sparked by individual champion Hannah Granger. During the year, the VMI men's team earned its second-ever regional ranking (2005), both of which have been achieved under Spangler's tutleage. In addition, the second-place finish for the women's team was the best-ever Championship result for the program, and Granger's Runner of the Year along with Jenna Moye's Freshman of the Year awards were the first such honors for members of the VMI squad.

In Spangler's time in Lexington, his athletes have broken 18 different school records.  In 2009, Spangler coached VMI’s Donnie Cowart to All-American status in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Championships, as Cowart also earned a trip to the USA Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

In 2007-08, Spangler recruited and coached two of the top freshmen in VMI’s illustrious track and field history.  Felix Kitur finished the season as the top-ranked freshman in the nation at 800-meters after finishing ninth at the National Championships, while Granger established seven new school records in her first year on post.

LINKS: Read Spangler's Full Bio