Longtime coach Mike McLean is taking over the cross country and track programs at Rocky Mountain College, school administrators announced this week.
McLean has served as the head cross country coach and assistant track coach at Glacier High School since its inception in 2007. The Glacier boys cross country team placed third this past fall and second a year ago. The program has produced several talented all-state runners, including Troy Fraley, Annie Hill and Kade McCutcheon.
McLean has 23 years of coaching experience in the valley, with stints at Glacier, Columbia Falls and Flathead high schools and Flathead Valley Community College.
Glacier Activities Director Mark Dennehy said the school is undergoing a search for McLean’s replacement and hopes to make a hire by the end of the month.
Rocky Mountain College athletic director Bruce Parker announced the hiring and said the appointment is effective immediately.
McLean is the first head coaching hire since Parker took over the athletic department at Rocky this past summer.
“We are so very pleased and excited that Mike has accepted this position,” said Parker, who came to Rocky after spending 11 years at Carroll College in Helena. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. I truly believe Mike can take our cross country and track & field programs to the next level.”
McLean described his excitement level of being at Rocky as “off the charts.”
“I was drawn to the program because of the opportunity to coach at the college level again. I look forward to qualifying our men’s and women’s cross country teams for nationals as well as many athletes as possible become track & field All-Americans.”
McLean said his primary vision is to increase the number of student athletes participating in the programs as well as “bring in students to receive a quality education at Rocky Mountain College.”
McLean replaces Alan King, who recently departed Rocky to take a similar position at Culver-Stockton College in Carson, Mo.
The Battlin’ Bears will compete in their first meet of the indoor season at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., Saturday.