Tampa, FL (May 9, 2006) ? University of South Florida head cross country/track and field coach Greg Thiel announced his resignation today to become Director of Athletics at The Cambridge School in Tampa. His resignation will take effect at the conclusion of the outdoor track season.
“I did a lot of praying and made a decision with my family, and we decided that this is where God wanted us,” said Thiel. “It gives me a chance to work in my faith, serve God, and be with my family. I love the University of South Florida and I think the program is headed in the right direction, and it will only get better, but this is something that will be better for my family by far.”
“I appreciate everything that Doug Woolard has done for me,” said Thiel. “Mr. Woolard has this athletic program going in a fantastic direction. I will always be part of the school and I will always be a fan of Mr. Woolard, Barry Clements (Associate Athletic Director and track and field sport administrator) and USF, but I think that this is a good thing. I've been here 16 years and sometimes change is good. I think I've brought it (the program) to a certain point and now it's time for someone else to come in and take it to the next level.”
“We appreciate everything that Greg has done for the track and field programs,” said USF Director of Athletics Doug Woolard. “He is a tremendous person and I respect the faith based decision that he has made for his family. We wish him the very best of luck in the future.”
Thiel, who has been with the Bulls' program for 16 years, and spent the last six as head coach, is widely considered as one of the top hurdle coaches in America while also overseeing the sprinters and jumpers.
During his time at USF Thiel has proven to be a tremendous evaluator of talent. He directly coached two Olympians ? in former Bulls Kemel Thompson (hurdles) and Llewelyn Bredwood (110 meters). Both competed for Jamaica in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia while Thompson also took part in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Thompson has been ranked in the top four in the world in the hurdles over the last five years and reached a career high of No. 2 in the world in 2005.
Thiel has also coached 17 All-Americans and 60 conference champions, and his 2003 women's outdoor track and field team won its first-ever Conference USA (C-USA) Championship. For his efforts, he was named the C-USA Women's Track and Field Coach of the Year.
Outside the competitive arena, Thiel's teams also excelled in the classroom. Since he took over as head coach, his women's cross country teams have been named Academic All-America programs five times (2001-05) while his men's cross country teams have received the honor three times (2002-05). On the track side, the women were tabbed from 2002-04 and the men in 2003. An Academic All-America program holds one of the top 20 grade point averages in America.
In addition, his 2001 women's track team was tabbed the Conference USA Academic Team of the Year boasting a 3.3 grade point average.
Thiel will continue to coach the team through the remainder of the season which includes this weekends Georgia Tech Invitational and the NCAA Regional (May 26-27) and NCAA Championships (June 7-10).
At the conclusion of the season assistant coach Warren Bye will be elevated to interim head coach while the process begins to hire a new head coach.
