Plasencia Named New Gopher Track Coach

Steve Plasencia will replace Phil Lundin as the University of Minnesota's Head Men's Track and Field Coach, the school announced late yesterday. Plasencia, an all-American for the Gophers in the 1970s and the school's men's cross country coach for the last 12 years, becomes only the fourth person to lead the program since 1937 and the ninth overall.

“I’m excited we have one of our own in Steve Plasencia to continue the success of our men’s track and field program,” Gopher Athletic Director Joel Maturi said in a media release. “Our history is rich with great coaches in this sport with names like Jim Kelly, Roy Griak and Phil Lundin. Coach Plasencia is a great addition to this list. Steve is a Golden Gopher through and through. He was successful as a student-athlete and as the head coach of our men’s cross country program. This is a great step forward in his coaching career. We look forward to the Minnesota men’s track program continuing its fine tradition of success.

Jim Kelly’s coached the Gophers from 1937-63, Roy Griak coached from 1964-95 and Phil Lundin, who resigned in May to coach at St. Olaf , coached from 1995-2008.

"I feel tremendously honored to be given the opportunity to be the next head men’s track and field coach at the University of Minnesota,” Plasencia said in of Gopher meida release. “I am anxious to carry on the great tradition the program has had at Minnesota. Our focus will be to help student-athletes achieve excellence in both their academic and athletic aspirations.”

The full media release for the hiring is HERE.

Photo courtesy of the U of M.