Lananna To Take Over Track, XC Programs At Virginia

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The Vin Lananna Era in Eugene appears to be over after 14 years.

On Monday, the University of Virginia announced that the veteran coach and visionary leader has taken a job as Director of Track and Field and Cross Country/Associate A.D. for Administration. 

Lananna, 66, turned the program around at Oregon from 2005-12, restoring it to a national power, and then moved to become president of TrackTown USA. He was instrumental in bringing three Olympic Trials to Eugene, and a fourth that will happen next June. He spearheaded the bids that brought the IAAF World U-20 Championships to Eugene in 2014, the IAAF World Indoor Championships to Portland in 2016 and the IAAF World Outdoor Championships to Eugene, which will be there 2021.

His contributions to the sport are almost too many to count. 

He has won a total of 11 NCAA track and cross county titles at Stanford and Oregon. 

Apparently, he's ready for a new chapter on the East coast. 

"I am immensely excited about the opportunity to work with the world class students and staff at the University of Virginia," Lananna said in the Virginia release. "I have been fortunate to have worked with terrific leaders in the world of sport and in the world of business. Carla Williams' vision for UVA athletics is clear, bold and inspirational. I am humbled to join the incredible UVA coaching staff, the professional administrators and the Charlottesville community. I cannot wait to get started."

Lananna told The Oregonian's Ken Goe that the decision to take the Virginia job came up quickly. 

Technically, Lannana is also the duly elected president of USA Track and Field, although he was placed on administrative leave in 2018. There is no timetable for his return, although his future with the organization may be resolved later this fall.