As five Cyclone coaches attend their final event at NCAA Nationals this week, Corey Ihmels is preparing to take over the men’s and women’s track and cross country programs.

Ihmels will replace men’s head track coach Steve Lynn and women’s head track and cross country coach Dick Lee, who have both been coaching at Iowa State for more than 20 years.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s something that, as a young coach, these opportunities don’t come along every day. Obviously I’m excited about the challenge and what lies ahead,” Ihmels said. “It’s been a very tough situation, and it hasn’t been easy, but I’m definitely looking forward to the future.”

He was a four-time All-American in track and two-time All-American in cross country for the Cyclones as a runner from 1994 to 1997, and head cross country and assistant track coach for the men’s teams in 2001. Ihmels said becoming head coach of his alma mater fulfilled one of his top coaching goals.

“This is a long-term goal when you get into the profession, is to be in charge of a program, let alone your alma mater, so I’m thankful for that,” Ihmels said. “I’m just excited for the work and what lies ahead.”

ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard was unclear in his specific reason for coaching changes, only saying he felt it was time for “new leadership in the track and cross country programs at this time.”

The men’s team has not finished in the top half of the conference indoors or outdoors since 1997. The women have only placed higher than seventh four times in that span.

“Ever since Jamie’s come here, he’s set the standard of high expectations, and we’re just going to follow the lead from him and work hard and get moving, and not worry about the future,” Ihmels said. “We’re going to be a success because we’re going to work as hard as we can to make it a success.”

Pollard said he saw Ihmels as the right person for the job after watching him the last two years.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve watched Coach Ihmels. I’ve seen how he operates; I’ve seen how he interacts with his student athletes; I’ve seen how he’s goal driven,” Pollard said. “So he clearly is an individual that I had looked at and thought that if we ever got to this spot that we would certainly have interest in putting him in that role.”

The first thing on Ihmel’s to do list is getting a staff put together under him. Along with the two head coaches, three other assistants did not have their contracts renewed, meaning Ihmels will have five coaching positions to fill.

“The one thing I’m not going to do is make this a quick process,” Ihmels said. “It’s really easy to just get eager and hire five coaches before July 1. Even though it’s important that we get coaches in here so that the kids have direction, it’s more important to get the right people.”

One thing he does know is that former men’s coach Bill Bergan, who coached track and cross country for 21 years before Lynn took over, will somehow be involved with the program. Bergan led the Cyclones to 10 Big Eight Championships in both cross country and track.

“He’s going to be heavily involved one way or another. I haven’t really finalized how that will unfold,” Ihmels said. “He’s been a huge mentor to me, and for me not to have him be a huge part in what we are doing is foolish, so he’s going to play a role.”

The Daily’s Chris Conetzkey and Luke Plansky contributed to this article.

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