Texas A&M University-Commerce Cross Country, Track and Field Head Coach Pat Ponder has parted ways with the university to further his coaching career at Tarleton State after the conclusion of the Fall 2006 semester, according to team reports.
Ponder could not be reached for comment.
Ponder was entering his fifth season as the coach of the two teams.
In 2005, he was named the Lone Star Conference Track and Field Coach of the Year.
He has coached a National Champion in the javelin and has see 36 of his athletes become all-americans while at A&M-Commerce.
Ponder also saw 11 school records be broken during his tenure.
During the 2002 season, he was at Wayland Baptist University for a season before returning to A&M-Commerce.
“I wish him the best, I think it will be a good career move for him,” said senior runner Niki Williams.
Ponder replaces the recently departed Tarleton State track and field and cross country coach Natalie Smith, who has moved on to NCAA Divison I Georgia Southern.
Ponder’s coaching career dates back to 1989 when he took over at Henderson State University before moving on to Northwood University from 1990-1996.
Ponder was responsible for the builidng of the track and field program at that university.
The track and field team here at A&M-Commerce met their new coach on Wednesday, who will step in and be the interim head coach until May.
As of press time, the name of the interim coach was not confirmed by The East Texan.
Staff writers Joey Dean and Michael Thompson contributed to this article.