Rich Elliott Position: Head Coach (2nd Season) Alma Mater: Kansas University (1972)

(708) 524-6551
relliott@dom.edu

Rich Elliott takes over the Dominican University Men's and Women's Cross Country programs for the 2008 Fall Season. Elliott brings with him 12 years experience as a cross-country coach at two Illinois high schools where he coached a pair of all-American runners and a number of all-state athletes.

In 1976, Elliott was named the Illinois Distance Coach of the Year while working as an assistant cross country and track coach at Willowbrook High School. Elliott then moved to Deerfield High School in 1977, serving as an assistant coach with the 1977 IHSA State Cross Country Champions before becoming the program's head coach for both cross country and track and field from 1978 until 1986.

In 1984, Elliott penned The Competitive Edge: Mental Preparation for Distance Running. The book explores the psychological aspects of distance running, preparing runners to be more relaxed, focused and confident prior to and during competition.

Additionally, Elliott competed at Kansas University from 1968 to 1972, qualifying for the NCAA Division I National meet in the three-mile, six-mile and cross country events. In 1971, he was crowned the Big Eight Conference Three-Mile Champion, winning the event at the outdoor conference track meet.

Elliott is returning to coaching after a long career in educational publishing. He resides in Winnetka, Illinois, with his wife and three children.