Hall of Fame cross country/track and field coach John Coughlan died on June 17 at the age of 80. He coached from 1977 until his retirement in 2000, becoming the most decorated cross country/track and field coach in Redbird history.
Coughlan guided the men’s program for 23 seasons and the women’s squad for eight campaigns. His tenure included five top-25 team finishes at the NCAA Championships, 25 MVC championships, 291 individual conference champions, and 19 MVC Athletes of the Year.
He was inducted into the Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame, the Drake Relays Hall of Fame, the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the MVC Hall of Fame.
Coughlan is survived by his wife of more than 58 years, Susan; two daughters; two granddaughters; and one brother.
