M Cross Country coach Alex Gibby fired after 4 years
After four seasons, Michigan has fired Men's Cross Country head coach Alex Gibby.
Despite an NCAA Regional Championship this year and consecutive runner-up finishes at the B1G Championships, he has been let go. The only clear reason seems to be the poor showings at the NCAA Championships.
| Year | B1G | Reg. | NCAA |
| 2010 | 8th of 10 | 7th of 31 | Did Not Place |
| 2011 | T-3rd of 11 | 3rd of 31 | 20th of 31 |
| 2012 | Runner-Up | Runner-Up | 23rd of 31 |
| 2013 | Runner-Up | Champions | 21st of 31 |
DB has had one great hire (Water Polo) and one outstanding hire (Men's Tennis). Let's see what he's got for his 3rd HC spot he has to fill this offseason. He still has not found a replacement yet for K.Z. Li who resigned as the Diving HC for both the Men's and Women's squads.
Gibby was also the long distance assistant for Men's Track.
Idea....Micky King Hogue. UM graduate and Olympic gold medalist. Although she's 69 yrs old right now...
She was the diving coach at AFA when I was on the swim team there. She's a tough lady. Tells a great story about the '68 Olympics where she competed with a broken arm.
This is a bit surprising, as I do think that Gibby has done a great job transforming the cross country program from doormat to a nationally relevant program. At least they are getting to NCAAs after years of futility.
My guess is this decision is being driven more by (a) His role in track, and (b) Recruiting. In terms of track, I do believe that Gibby is a poor coach for middle distances which hurts the overall track team's ability to score points at the Big Ten meet. It is well known in track circles that 10K/XC guys add relatively little value to the track team vs. a mid distance guy who can run more events (800/1000/1500/mile), has more ability to run multiple events at big meets, and can contribute to relays. Just look at the UM Woman's program to see how mid distance can buoy team scoring. Gibby was all about the XC/10K development, perhaps to the detriment of the shorter distances.
As for recruiting, Gibby hasn't really pulled in any big superstars to help the program. My opinion is that UM should do whatever they can to land a rising Sr. named Grant Fisher from Grand Blanc. He is the top distance runner in the country with his senior year still to come. If they can get him, whoever coaches the team will look great.
Everyone has their own opinion. O'Toole and Fisher just raced this past weekend head-to-head and Fisher won and ran 4:02.02. The kid from mass has a PR of 4:01.89. Fisher won the national championship in cross country, so for me that tips it in his favor. Perhaps equal in track but Fisher is better in XC.
They should have went after Nolan Bright-Mitchell. Fastest sprinter in the State from Concord, and he signed with Grand Valley.
told them to run faster.
I wish it worked like that...coming someone who has barely missed out on Boston Marathon qualifying twice....