Reindl named Huskie Athletics cross country/track & field coach

Nicole Betker, Huskie Athletics

SASKATOON - Huskie Athletics is pleased to announce alumnus Jason Reindl as the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) cross country/track & field head coach.

Reindl will become the fourth head coach in the program's modern era, and the first full-time coach in the program's history. Reindl replaces Joanne McTaggart, who was employed for the duration of the 2016-17 athletic season, and has been with the program, on a year-to-year, part-time basis, since 2008.

"Having been a student-athlete in track & field at the U of S, I know exactly the level of commitment required to be a Huskie," said Reindl, noting that a lot has changed since his time at the U of S, especially combining the coaching staff of the cross country and track & field programs in 2009. "I am humbled, honoured and excited to be taking on this role. I will make sure I give our athletes the same level of commitment they are giving our program."

In July 2016, the decision was made to move all part-time head coaches to full-time status at the U of S. These programs included men's and women's soccer, wrestling and cross country/track & field. Cross country/track & field will be the only program with a change at the head coach position.

"We are very pleased to have Jason Reindl join our coaching staff," said Adrienne Healey, who has stepped in as acting athletic director as Basil Hughton prepares for his retirement from the position. "After an extensive search, we know we found the perfect fit for our program. Jason brings a wealth of experience and will be instrumental in continuing and elevating the success of the storied Huskie Athletics track & field program."

Reindl has been a chartered professional coach since 2008 and most recently worked as the high performance coach with Athletics New Brunswick, as well as the head coach of the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds track & field team. He was also Canada's sprints and hurdles coach at the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei, Taiwan.

"This is an incredible opportunity to be coming home," said Reindl. "As part of the last national track and field championship winning team at the UofS I am focused on getting the program back on the U SPORTS national podium."

A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan's College of Kinesiology and Huskies' track & field program, Reindl also holds a graduate certificate in high performance coaching and technical leadership from UBC, and is currently pursuing his master's degree in that area.

With the Varsity Reds, Reindl was named the 2017 Atlantic University Sport men's track & field coach of the year, after the men's program finished second and the women's third at the conference championships.

Reindl will begin June 1.