ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced that Erin Dinan, the current women's cross country head coach, will now also serve as the head coach of the men's cross country program heading into the 2024-25 academic school year.

"It is with great confidence that I promote Erin Dinan to head men's and women's cross country and distance head coach," said Ithaca College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79. 

"Coach Dinan has a proven track record of success with individual national champions and high team NCAA finishes. She has worked closely with Coach Nichols and is well qualified and prepared for this important leadership role for men's and women's cross country and track. I look forward to seeing our continued success and growth under Coach Dinan's leadership."

Dinan completed her 12th season as head coach in 2023 and her 18th as an assistant with the women's track & field program. As head coach, Dinan has guided the women's program to six top 31 finishes at the NCAA Division III Championship and has mentored six All-Americans, including 2019 national champion Parley Hannan. Since 2011, IC has also won six conference titles and Dinan has been named coach of the year six times.

"I am honored and excited for the opportunity to also now lead the Ithaca College men's cross country program alongside our women's team," Dinan stated. It has been a pleasure to have worked and learned from Coach Jim Nichols since I've been at Ithaca College. I look forward to continuing the work with our athletic department and track and field staff as we carry on the traditions of successful programs to both teams."

As an assistant with the women's track & field team as distance coach, Dinan has overseen 18 All-American performances and six individual national champions.

Along with the announcement of Dinan assuming the role as head coach for men's cross country, the athletic department also wishes to share the restructure of coaching duties within the track & field programs.

Dinan will work with all distance runners, while women's track & field head coach Jennifer Potter will develop sprinters and hurdlers and assistant coach Mary Wallenbeck will remain in her role with jumps. Matt Scheffler will also stay on staff as the pole vault coach.

The search for a new men's track & field head coach is currently underway.

"Moving forward, the new structure will allow us to seek strong expertise in other event areas, which will benefit our total track and field program," said Bassett.