Wolfpack Welcomes Chad Pearson as Track & Field and Cross Country Assistant Coach
8/17/2021 2:56:00 PM | Track, Cross Country
RALEIGH - The NC State cross country and track & field programs are adding former Wolfpack standout Chad Pearson to their staffs as an assistant coach, as announced by head coaches Rollie Geiger and Laurie Henes on Tuesday. Pearson will serve as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the cross country and track & field teams.
"I'm beyond thrilled to return to my Wolfpack family," said Pearson. "I have always believed and trusted in the process that Coach Geiger and Coach Henes have established in Raleigh. I look forward to helping continue that process both on the ACC and national level which has made NC State Cross Country/Track & Field so special throughout the decades.
"I would like to thank Coach Geiger for providing this special opportunity to be a part of this staff while working with the exceptional student-athletes at NC State. I'm very grateful to him. I would also certainly like to thank Coach Henes for this opportunity. I'm very excited to begin working with her as well. A special thank you to Chancellor Randy Woodson, Athletics Director Boo Corrigan and Senior Woman Administrator Michelle Lee for this opportunity to return to NC State. I can't wait to get started. Go Pack!"
Pearson joins the NC State staff after a nine-year stint at UNCG, eight years of which he served as head coach. As head coach, Pearson led the Spartans men's and women's cross country programs to eight top-five finishes at the SoCon Championships.
During his time at the helm of the Spartans program, Pearson led runners to nine men's All-SoCon cross country honors, including four All-Freshman honorees. The UNCG women collected 15 cross country All-SoCon laurels since Pearson took charge of the programs.
A year as an assistant coach with the Spartans saw Pearson help members of the squad to three individual conference titles in addition to a pair of All-America accolades in Paul Chelimo and Paul Katam.
During Pearson's time with the team, Chelimo won two SoCon individual cross country titles and additionally posted back-to-back second-place finishes in the outdoor 5,000m at the NCAA Championships in 2012 and 2013. Chelimo went on to run for the United States in the Olympics, winning silver and bronze medals in the 5,000m in 2016 and 2020, respectively.
"We're excited to welcome Chad back to our program," said Geiger. "He's a graduate of NC State, an All-American in cross country and track & field and was a major player in the success of the program while at NC State.
"I believe he will be an incredible asset to our men's and women's teams going forward."
Prior to starting at UNCG, Pearson worked as a volunteer assistant coach at Charlotte and NC State and additionally spent several years as a graduate assistant with the Wolfpack from 2004-06.
As a student-athlete, Pearson was a three-time All-American and five-time All-ACC selection during his career at NC State, his track & field career being highlighted by a fifth-place finish in the 10,000m at the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He remains the school record holder in that event.
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