NAU made official on Monday morning what had previously been reported: Mike Smith will step down as director of cross country and track and field in July, 2025 — after the cross country and track seasons — and be replaced by associate head coach Jarred Cornfield.
Sunday night, Runner’s World magazine reported that Smith was “mulling” leaving NAU to accept a position as coach a new Nike-sponsored professional team which would be based in Flagstaff. In its press release announcing Smith’s departure, NAU would only state Smith was departing to “pursue professional coaching opportunities.” Nike officials could not be reached for comment Monday.
The Sunday article, by veteran journalist Sarah Lorge Butler, quotes “sources” as saying that Nike has offered Smith a new position in which he would start a Nike-sponsored pro training group in Flagstaff in late spring of 2025 that, according to the magazine, would “grandfather in” the non-Nike pro runners Smith already coaches — Luis Grijalva (Hoka), Nikki Hiltz (Lululemon), Rachel Smith (Hoka), Nico Young (Adidas) and Elly Henes (Adidas).
Smith also coaches several runners sponsored by Nike, notably Abdihamid Nur and Woody Kincaid.
In eight years at NAU, the Lumberjack men’s cross country team has never finished lower than second in the NCAA cross country nationals. Cornfield has been Smith’s assistant throughout, and both served as assistants under Eric Heins in 2016, when NAU won its first championship.
Cornfield, who coaches Olympian Elise Cranny, had been sought after for several recent collegiate coaching jobs; it was reported that he interviewed for the University of Colorado position. Cornfield graduated from Liberty University with a sports management degree and ran cross country and track. He then received a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at NAU, where he began his coaching career.
Having a coach-in-waiting is not unusual at NAU. In 2016, head coach Eric Heins announced he was leaving in a year and named Smith, his assistant, as his successor. The cross country season was used as a transition period for Smith to take over.
Smith lately has been a hot commodity in coaching circles. The University of Oregon tried to hire him a little more than a year ago, and Smith declined to comment this summer when asked if he was contacted for the Colorado job.
University President Jose Luis Cruz Rivera said in an NAU press release: “As we enter Coach Mike Smith’s last season, recognizing that his leadership and dedication have elevated our cross country and track and field programs to new heights, we are also thrilled to have our very own Associate Head Coach Jarred Cornfield continue this work as he takes on the role of Head Coach in Waiting. This seamless transition is a testament to Coach Smith’s deep commitment to the success of our student athletes and the continued excellence of our program, and I look forward to a great season ahead for our Lumberjacks.”
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