Chris McIsaac, a former standout distance runner during the 2000s at Linfield University (then Linfield College), has been named head coach of the cross country program, Vice President for Athletics
Scott Brosius announced on Monday. McIsaac will also serve as an assistant track and field coach with specific responsibilities for recruiting and training Linfield distance runners.
"I'm excited to get back to Linfield. It was a very formative time of my life and has always been a place of great memories and experiences," said McIsaac, a native of Olympia, Washington.
McIsaac takes over leadership of the cross country program from Mike Blackmore, who served as head coach for nine seasons.
Travis Olson, Linfield director of cross country and track & field, had nothing but good things to say about Blackmore after he announced his departure.
"I would first like to thank Mike for everything he has done for the program and wish him all the best," said Olson. "I really enjoyed working with Mike and appreciate the attention and effort he put in with every single one of his athletes. I know his athletes will miss him, but they are also eager to get to know Chris and help our cross country and distance program grow.
"Chris has an impressive background as a former runner at Linfield and a successful high school coach," said Brosius. "I'm excited for our cross country and track programs as he brings his knowledge, leadership, and enthusiasm to both teams."
As an undergraduate at Linfield, McIsaac was a two-year letterwinner in cross country and earned three letters in track & field between 2008 and 2010, earning all conference and all-region honors in cross country.
After completing a bachelor's degree in accounting at Linfield in 2010, McIsaac served two years as an assistant coach with the Linfield track and cross country programs while also servering as an assistant director and bridge coordinator with Linfield's Upward Bound program.
McIsaac went on to earn a master's degree in secondary education and teaching from George Fox University in 2013.
He transitioned to become the project director for Upward Bound with the Tigard-Tualatin School District, a position he held for six years while also coaching cross country and track at Tualatin High School. For the past seven years, he has been teaching business classes at Tigard High School while also serving as head coach of the THS cross country and track & field programs.
"Chris' journey from a standout distance runner at Linfield to head cross country coach and assistant track coach is a full-circle moment that speaks volumes about his commitment," said Olson. "His time leading Tigard High School's cross country and track programs, combined with his deep ties to the area, makes him a natural fit to inspire and recruit the next generation of Wildcats. I couldn't be more excited to work with Chris and build something special here at Linfield."
McIsaac's goal as coach, he said, "is to return the program back to the level it was at when I was competing and the few years that I helped coach after graduating. Getting there is going to be a challenge, but I believe I'll be able to grow the program to a respectable level and compete with the top teams in the conference."
A graduate of Capital High School in Olympia, McIsaac was honored as CHS's Most Inspirational Athlete in cross country as a senior and twice competed at the WIAA state championship meet.
An avid runner, McIsaac continued to train and compete in road races long after his graduation from Linfield, including three successful finishes in the storied Boston Marathon.
His return to Linfield as a head coach seemed destined to happen at some point in his career.
"I've loved coaching at the high school level for the past 12 years, but I always knew that I wanted to coach at the collegiate level," said McIsaac. "It was a dream come true when this position came open. I'm excited to work with Travis again. He is someone who was a role model for me while an athlete and is someone I looked up to as a head coach."
