UPDATED 8/26/24 at 12:11pm EST.
The Stride Report has learned from multiple sources that Northern Arizona Coach Mike Smith has accepted a professional coaching offer from Nike. One source noted that the team was informed of his decision on Sunday.
Northern Arizona has since published their own press release confirming that Smith had accepted the offer from Nike. The press release also stated that long-time assistant coach Jarred Cornfield will take over as the Lumberjacks' head coach at the conclusion of the 2025 academic calendar year.
Per the report, Smith will be allowed to keep coaching his current pro athletes even if they represent other brands. Examples include Rachel Smith (Hoka), Elly Henes (Adidas), Nico Young (Adidas), Nikki Hiltz (Lululemon) and Luis Grijalva (Hoka).
One source who spoke to The Stride Report explained that Nike has every intention to establish a pro training group in Flagstaff, Arizona. A separate source noted that Nike would like to have pro training groups in Boulder (CO), Park City (UT) and Portland (OR).
Since taking over the Director role at Northern Arizona, Smith has become one of the greatest collegiate cross country coaches of all-time. Under his reign, the Lumberjack men have secured five national team titles as well as multiple individual national titles from a number of standout athletes.
The NAU women have also evolved into a long distance powerhouse in recent years. They will be considered one of the biggest favorites to win gold at this year's NCAA XC Championships in November.
Smith is now vacating what may be one of the most revered non-Power Five head coaching roles in the NCAA. Now, Jarred Cornfield will go through a transitionary period in a similar manner as Smith did in 2015 when he joined NAU for a year before the team's prior head coach, Eric Heins, stepped away from the program.
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