North Carolina State University Athletics
Cross Country
- Title:
- Senior Associate Director Track & Field and Cross Country/Men's Cross Country Head Coach
- Email:
- rggeiger@ncsu.edu
- Phone:
- (919) 515-3959
Rollie Geiger joined the Wolfpack in 1979 as the distance coach for the track & field program before being named head coach of the men’s cross country team in 1981. Three years later, he was elevated to head coach of both the men’s and women’s track & field programs, positions he held for 39 and 34 years, respectively.
In the summer of 2023, Geiger transitioned into the role of Senior Associate Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, while continuing to serve as head coach of the men’s cross country team.
At the same time, longtime associate head coach Laurie Henes was promoted to Director of Track & Field and Cross Country and Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Head Coach, while remaining head coach of the women’s cross country team.
Throughout his tenure, Geiger transformed NC State into one of the nation’s premier track & field and cross country programs. He guided teams to 42 ACC Championships, including seven track & field titles and 35 cross country titles. Under his leadership, Wolfpack student-athletes earned 183 All-America honors, 551 All-ACC selections and 215 ACC Individual titles.
Geiger began one of the premier cross country dynasties in conference history, leading NC State to more ACC men’s and women’s cross country championships than any other institution. During his tenure, the Wolfpack swept both the men’s and women’s ACC titles nine times, including an impressive stint from 1995-98.
His influence extended well beyond conference competition. At the national level, Geiger helped elevate NC State’s track & field and cross country programs into a consistent contender and played a key role in the Wolfpack’s back-to-back AIAW National Championships in women’s cross country in 1979 and 1980.
During those championship seasons, Julie Shea captured both the ACC and AIAW individual titles, helping establish the foundation of success for decades to come.
Geiger’s impact was equally evident in athlete development. Throughout his career, he coached 81 NCAA All-Americans, including four NCAA champions.
Kristin Price claimed the 2002 outdoor 10,000 meter title, Tyrell Taitt won the 1993 NCAA outdoor triple jump crown, Laurie Henes captured the 1991 5000m outdoor title and the quartet of Auguston Young, Alston Glenn, Danny Peebles and Harvey McSwain won the 1985 NCAA 4x100 relay title. Geiger also worked with Betty Springs during her NCAA championship-winning performances in the 5000m and 10,000m in 1983.
Among the most accomplished athletes of Geiger’s career is current assistant coach Ryan Hill, who emerged as one of the greatest distance runners in NC State history.
Hill capped his collegiate career in 2013 with 10 total All-America honors between track (7) and cross country (3). He not only obliterated his own NC State record but also the North Carolina record in the mile, clocking a 3:54.89 at the 106th Millrose Games.
Geiger’s athletes consistently reached historic milestones. During his career, he coached five athletes to U.S. collegiate or national records: Betty Springs for the 5000m and 10,000m, Kathy Ormsby for the 10,000m, Suzie Tuffey to an American junior record in the 5000m, Jeff Warrick to a national high school record in the 1500m and Kenyetta Iyevbele to the U.S.A. Junior National Championship record in the 800m.
His athletes also excelled on the international stage. Kevin Braunskill won the 200m title at the 1988 World Junior Championships and later earned bronze in the event at the 1989 World University Games. Neil Chance captured the long jump crown at the 1992 World Junior Championships, highlighting a long list of Wolfpack athletes who represented Team USA during Geiger’s tenure.
NC State athletes continued that international success at the Pan American Junior Championships. Kenyetta Iyevbele won the 800m title in 2011, Alexis Perry claimed gold in the 100m hurdles in 2013 and Gabriele Cunningham and Cravont Charleston earned gold medals as members of the United States’ 4x100 relay teams in 2017.
At the junior national level, Geiger guided numerous athletes onto Team USA rosters, including Lynn Strauss (3,000m), Gavin Gaynor (steeplechase), Chris Corcoran (javelin), and Chris Dugan (steeplechase) on the United States National team in 1983, '84, '91 and '98 respectively.
Under Geiger, javelin thrower Eric Schoenborn became a member of the 1985 United States National team, and Emmanuel and Reggie Barnes joined Chance as members of Team USA in 1992.
In the classroom, Geiger's teams have exemplified what student-athletes are supposed to be. Brian Himelright became the latest recipient of an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in 2013 and the 22nd in program history since the creation of the scholarships in 1964. In the winter of 2007, both Georgia Davis and Jemissa Hess were awarded the James-Weaver-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship by the ACC, giving Geiger 14 student-athletes to receive that honor.
Stephen Furst was named the ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year after a tremendous senior season under Geiger's guidance and was also a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner with fellow senior Vegh in 2007. Jonathan Addison, who owns the school record in the men’s indoor long jump, claimed back-to-back ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors during the 2015 Outdoor and 2015-16 Indoor seasons.
Well-known nationally, Geiger has coached at the United States Olympic Festival and in 1987 was named coach of the United States National team for the World Cross Country Championships. He has also been a featured speaker at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Prior to coming to Raleigh, Geiger led a perennial powerhouse program at Bayshore High School in Bradenton, Fla. His teams consistently placed in the top 10 at the state, with individuals placing in every event.
A 1971 graduate of Kent State University, Geiger was a three-time letterwinner in track and cross country. He majored in health education and received a minor in psychology. He is married to the former Betty Springs, one of the finest runners in NC State history, as she was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. They have two children, Rachel and Trey, both of whom attend NC State.
Among the most decorated coaches in ACC history, Geiger has been named ACC Cross Country Coach of the Year 28 times and ACC Track & Field Coach of the Year six times. His contributions to the sport have been recognized with inductions into the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2019, the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.
ACC COACH OF THE YEAR
Track and Field (6)
1985, 1986, 1988, 1996 (2), 2004
Men's Cross Country (13)
1986, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011
Women's Cross Country (15)
1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001
ACC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men's Track and Field (7)
1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1996
Men's Cross Country (15)
1986, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011
Women's Cross Country (20)
1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006
