FULLERTON, Calif. - Head cross country and track and field head coach John Elders, in his 33rd year as the head coach of the program, the longest tenured coach in school history, announced Monday that he is retiring effective December 30, 2020. Then, on January 2, 2021, Elders will be re-hired as a retired annuitant (part-time employee) but will still retain the head coaching duties for up to 18 months. He will step away completely no earlier than the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year. When Elders is not present on campus, associate head coach Marques Barosso will perform the head coaching duties.
"This is not the end, but it is one step closer to the end," Elders said. "When I spoke with the administration about this, it seemed like a win-win for both the university and myself. I'm excited about staying involved with the program and still leading it during this time. I'm also excited personally, about my future, and eventually completely stepping away and doing something different. My family plans to re-locate to Fort Collins, Colorado, since we have family there. That's the long-term plan and I'm excited. I'm reducing my role but I am really excited to continue to working the student-athletes and my staff. I'm very optimistic about the direction the program is heading in. It's mutually beneficial for both the university and myself."
"This is not the end, but I still want to say that I appreciate Coach Elders' years of service and commitment to Cal State Fullerton Athletics and specifically the cross country and track and field programs," said Director of Athletics Jim Donovan. "He has helped generations of student-athletes and brought this department four championships in each of the last four seasons. I can't thank him enough for his contributions to this University and its student-athletes."
During his tenure over the last 33 years, Elders has won three Big West Track and Field Championships, two on the men's side in both 2017 and 2018. The third came when the women won it for the first time in 2019. He also led the women's cross country team to their first Big West Championship in the fall of 2019.
Under his tutelage, 24 student-athletes earned NCAA All-America honors and 74 individual Big West Track and Field Championships have been won.
Elders' involvement in the Titans' program, dates back to 1984 when he enrolled at CSF as a senior transfer and competed on both the cross country and track and field teams before serving as an assistant coach for three years prior being promoted to the head job in 1988.
