Raunig moving on at end of outdoor season
3/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Indoor Track, Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
University of Montana cross country/track and field coach Dr. Tom Raunig announced Friday that he will step down from his coaching position at the end of the upcoming outdoor track and field season to pursue a full-time teaching career. Raunig is in his 12th year coaching the Grizzlies and in his 23rd year of coaching track and field overall.
Raunig recently accepted a full-time tenure-track teaching position in the School of Education at the University of Great Falls.
Raunig earned an undergraduate degree in education from Montana in 1982, a masters degree in health and physical education from UM in 1989 and an educational doctorate degree in adult learning and higher education from Montana State in 1995.
"I've had a doctorate degree for 13 years now, and I put in a lot of work to get it," Raunig said. "If I ever wanted to put it to use, this seemed like the right time and opportunity to do it. The cross country and track and field programs at the University of Montana are in good shape, and I'm from the Great Falls area and still have immediate family living there.
"It will be a new and exciting challenge to be working with potential teachers. It's been very rewarding over the last few years to see some of my former runners getting into the high school coaching ranks in Montana and having success. Now I'll be helping to put teachers into the education system, which will be a bigger role with even more of an impact.
"I'll miss coaching the athletes, but I'll still be with students."
A native of Havre, Mont., Raunig was an all-American distance runner for the Grizzlies during his collegiate career, placing ninth in the 10,000 meters at the 1982 NCAA Outdoor Championships. He still holds the Montana school record for the 10k with a time of 28:40.24.
After a three-year post-collegiate running career spent in Eugene, Ore., Raunig returned to Montana in 1985. He spent two years coaching at the local high school level before being hired to coach the men's cross country team and track distance athletes at Montana State in 1987. Raunig earned Big Sky Conference cross country coach of the year honors in 1993 while with the Bobcats.
After seven years at MSU, Raunig took the cross country/track and field coach position at Upper Iowa. After two seasons and one conference coach of the year award, Raunig returned to his alma mater in 1996.
Raunig has coached three cross country all-Americans at Montana, two indoor all-Americans and nine outdoor all-Americans in addition to dozens of individual Big Sky Conference champions.
"All of us at UM Athletics wish Tom the best in his new position," Montana athletics director Jim O'Day said. "He has been a valued member of our intercollegiate staff and will be missed. Tom has been a tireless worker for the Grizzly track and field and cross country programs for the past 12 years, and we appreciate all that he has accomplished."
The search for Raunig's replacement will begin immediately, with associate athletics director Jean Gee heading the search team. It is expected the replacement process will begin shortly after April 1, with the goal of having a new coach in place by July 1.
Raunig recently accepted a full-time tenure-track teaching position in the School of Education at the University of Great Falls.
Raunig earned an undergraduate degree in education from Montana in 1982, a masters degree in health and physical education from UM in 1989 and an educational doctorate degree in adult learning and higher education from Montana State in 1995.
"I've had a doctorate degree for 13 years now, and I put in a lot of work to get it," Raunig said. "If I ever wanted to put it to use, this seemed like the right time and opportunity to do it. The cross country and track and field programs at the University of Montana are in good shape, and I'm from the Great Falls area and still have immediate family living there.
"It will be a new and exciting challenge to be working with potential teachers. It's been very rewarding over the last few years to see some of my former runners getting into the high school coaching ranks in Montana and having success. Now I'll be helping to put teachers into the education system, which will be a bigger role with even more of an impact.
"I'll miss coaching the athletes, but I'll still be with students."
A native of Havre, Mont., Raunig was an all-American distance runner for the Grizzlies during his collegiate career, placing ninth in the 10,000 meters at the 1982 NCAA Outdoor Championships. He still holds the Montana school record for the 10k with a time of 28:40.24.
After a three-year post-collegiate running career spent in Eugene, Ore., Raunig returned to Montana in 1985. He spent two years coaching at the local high school level before being hired to coach the men's cross country team and track distance athletes at Montana State in 1987. Raunig earned Big Sky Conference cross country coach of the year honors in 1993 while with the Bobcats.
After seven years at MSU, Raunig took the cross country/track and field coach position at Upper Iowa. After two seasons and one conference coach of the year award, Raunig returned to his alma mater in 1996.
Raunig has coached three cross country all-Americans at Montana, two indoor all-Americans and nine outdoor all-Americans in addition to dozens of individual Big Sky Conference champions.
"All of us at UM Athletics wish Tom the best in his new position," Montana athletics director Jim O'Day said. "He has been a valued member of our intercollegiate staff and will be missed. Tom has been a tireless worker for the Grizzly track and field and cross country programs for the past 12 years, and we appreciate all that he has accomplished."
The search for Raunig's replacement will begin immediately, with associate athletics director Jean Gee heading the search team. It is expected the replacement process will begin shortly after April 1, with the goal of having a new coach in place by July 1.
Lady Griz Basketball Locker Room Unveiling - 5/1/26
Friday, May 01
Griz Track & Field - Montana Open Highlights - 4/25/26
Friday, May 01
Griz Softball vs. Idaho State Game-Winning Hit - 3/25/26
Friday, May 01
Griz Softball Championship Series Promo
Friday, May 01
