Micah Tirop has been named Lourdes University's new head men's and women's cross country coach, athletic director Janet Eaton has announced.
 
Tirop becomes the third head coach in the Gray Wolves' program history.
 
"I am really excited for the opportunity at Lourdes," Tirop said.  "I am a person that likes to make a difference in people's lives, and coaching is the perfect opportunity to do that.  I look forward to the challenge this opportunity presents."
 
Tirop arrives at Lourdes after most recently serving as the assistant men's and women's cross country and track and field coach at Middle Tennessee State University for two years.  In 2017, he helped lead the NCAA Division I school to the Conference USA title in men's cross country, while assisting the Blue Raiders to a 23^rd place finish at the NCAA National Championships that same season. 
 
No stranger to head coaching positions as well, Tirop spent three years as the head men's and women's cross country and track and field coach at Wiley College from 2013-2015.  With the Wildcats, he was named the Red River Athletic Conference men's and women's cross country Coach of the Year in 2014.  He was also the RRAC men's track and field Coach of the Year twice while earning the women's honor in 2015.
 
Tirop led Wiley to the RRAC title in both men's and women's cross country in 2014 while guiding the track and field teams to conference crowns in 2015.  His men's program also won the league title in 2014, finishing 13^th at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championship that same season. 
 
"I had the honor of working with Coach Tirop at Wiley so I know first-hand the success he is capable of," Eaton stated.  "I am excited for him to bring his knowledge and expertise here to Lourdes and look forward to big things from him."
 
An outstanding runner during his collegiate days, Tirop was the Sun Belt Conference cross country champion for the University of South Alabama in 2007 and 2008.  A four-time All-SBC honoree, he also earned All-Region honors four seasons on the trails while qualifying for the NCAA National Championships three times. 
 
Tirop also had success on the oval during his college career with the Jaguars, winning the indoor 3,000 and 5,000 titles in the Sun Belt Conference three times.  He was the top scorer in the conference indoor meet in 2008.
 
A 2009 graduate of South Alabama with a degree in leisure studies, Tirop earned his master's degree in sports management from Middle Tennessee State in 2012.