Eugene (KMTR) - Vin Lananna is stepping down as Head Track and Field Coach at the University of Oregon and moving into larger role benefiting the entire university and TrackTown USA.
University of Oregon Director of Athletics Rob Mullens says Robert Johnson will be elevated to Head Track and Field and Cross Country Coach.
Mullens says the reorganization and promotion within the track and field staff has been under consideration for some time, "These moves will allow the University of Oregon and TrackTown USA to continue to lead the nation in the sport of track and field and recognizes the positive growth in both."
Mullens says Lananna will now be able to focus his time and energy pursuing large-scale national and international track and field events for the community and ensuring that Hayward Field remains the premiere outdoor track venue in the United States, "At the same time we are extremely happy to be able to retain and promote Robert Johnson, who has developed into one of the best and most sought-after coaches in the country."
Johnson recently finished his seventh year at Oregon and his third as Associate Head Women's Coach helping lead a resurgence of a women's program that has won three straight NCAA Indoor national titles and four consecutive Pac-12 championships.
The Duck women have also finished as the national outdoor runners-up four years in a row.
Johnson says he is thankful and feels blessed with the opportunity, "There is no other college in the nation where there is a greater honor to be the Head Track and Feld Coach than the University of Oregon."
Lananna will remain as Associate Athletic Director and will oversee the Track and Field program as that sport's administrator.
He will also assume an expanded role with TrackTown USA and work to expand its footprint, both nationally and internationally.
