Mike Holloway Takes on Dual Role

GAINESVILLE - Florida's search for a new women's head track and field coach has ended right where it started.

On the Florida campus.

Mike Holloway, the school's men's track and field head coach for the past seven years, was named the women's coach on Tuesday. Holloway becomes the first track and field coach in school history to oversee both programs, and the ninth head coach of a Florida women’s track and field program that dates to 1973. He replaces Tom Jones, who died of cancer in March.

While Jeff Pigg will remain as the coach for both men’s and women’s cross country, Holloway will also oversee the cross country program.

Before taking over the men's program in June 2002, Holloway had been an assistant coach since 1995. He is one of the premier sprint coaches in track and field and has developed Florida into one of the nation's top sprint programs. He has coached athletes to 12 NCAA titles in the past nine years, and 14 school records in the indoor and outdoor events of 400 meters or less have been set under his watch.

Florida decided to combine the track and field programs after a study revealed that 13 of the last 16 NCAA indoor and outdoor titles were won by combined programs. Holloway will join head swimming and diving coach Gregg Troy as members of the UF coaching staff that oversee combined programs.

“When we set out to find a coach to lead our women’s program, we knew that we already had a special candidate right here in Gainesville with Mike Holloway,” UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said. “Mike has shown the ability to mentor world-class athletes on the men’s side, and we strongly believe he will do the same with our women’s program. We took a look at the situations of the other top track and field programs across the country and realized that combining our men and women’s programs gives us the best opportunity to be successful, especially under Mike’s direction.”