After completing seven successful campaigns as the Washington University men's and women's head cross country coach, Jeff Stiles was named the interim head track and field coach on Oct. 27, 2008, and he now oversees both programs.

Through eight seasons, Stiles has brought the Washington U. men's and women's cross country teams to national prominence, and the WU women's squad has become a perennial contender for the NCAA Division III National Championship.

Last year, the Washington University women's cross country team placed second at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships, and saw sophomore Taryn Surtees take the UAA individual title, the fifth student-athlete to accomplish the feat under Stiles' tuteledge. The Bears went on to place third at the NCAA Midwest Regionals and earn an at-large berth into the NCAA Championships, where they finished in 12th place.

The 2007 cross country season meant even more success for Stiles and the Bears. The women's team finished third in the NCAA Championship meet for the third time in school history, and won its ninth University Athletic Association (UAA) title. Although the third-place finish at the national championship meet tied an all-time best, WU did set a new school record with three runners earning All-America honors: Seniors Tricia Frisella, Tyler Mulkin and Kate Pentak. Stiles garnered UAA and NCAA Midwest Region Women's Coach of the Year honors.

In 2006, the women, who won their second-straight Midwest Region title, placed fourth for their fourth top-four finish in five seasons. Senior Beth Herndon and junior Tricia Frisella garnered All-America honors. Meanwhile, the men continued their ascent in Division III, qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1997 and fourth time overall. For the team's efforts, Stiles was named the Midwest Region Men's Coach of the Year.

In 2005, Stiles led WU's women to third place at the NCAA Championships, matching the program's best finish in school history (third, 2004). Additionally, the women won the Midwest Region title and a fourth-consecutive UAA title. On the men's side, the Bears finished fourth at the conference meet and sent two student-athletes--Brennan Bonner and Kevin Gale--to compete individually at the NCAA Championships.

Stiles mentored the Bears women to third place in the NCAA in 2004. Besides their NCAA success, the women also won the UAA title for the third-straight year, while senior Maggie Grabow notched her second-straight individual 6K title. On the men's side, WU finished second at the conference meet, and junior Greg Reindl individually qualified for the NCAA Championships.

In 2003 , Stiles led the Bears men's and women's cross country squads to the UAA Championship, marking the first time in school history that both teams won the conference title the same year. Stiles and his staff mentored eight student-athletes who garnered all-conference accolades en route to earning UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors.

The women's team also captured the UAA title, won the first Midwest Regional Championship in school history and finished a program-best fourth place at the NCAA Championships in 2002. In 2001, the men's squad captured its third-consecutive UAA championship while the women placed third.

Stiles, a 1999 graduate of North Central College in Naperville, Ill., came to Washington U. from Southwest Missouri State University where he served as the assistant cross country and track and field coach for two years. During his two seasons, the women's track and field squad captured a third-consecutive indoor conference championship and its first outdoor conference title.

Prior to his work at Southwest Missouri State, Stiles put together a remarkable career during his four years at North Central. A member of both the cross country and track and field teams, he qualified for eight NCAA Championship meets and earned All-America honors six times. Stiles also captained the 1997 cross country squad and the 1998 outdoor track and field team to national championships. He excelled in the classroom as well, earning Academic All-America honors three times, while being named to the Dean's List on five occasions.

Stiles graduated from North Central in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and earned his master's degree in secondary education from Southwest Missouri State in August 2001.

Quick Facts About Stiles

Years at WU: Eight

Previous Coaching Experience:
1999-2001: Served as the assistant coach for the women's cross country and track and field teams at Southwest Missouri State. Helped lead the indoor track and field team to a third-consecutive conference championship and the outdoor team to its first-ever conference title.
1998-99: After expiration of eligibility at North Central College, served as the distance coach for the cross country team, helping the men's team to an 11th National Championship.

College Career:
As a member of both the cross country and track and field teams at North Central College, he qualified for eight NCAA Championship meets, earning All-America honors six times. Captained the 1997 cross country team and the 1998 outdoor track and field team to national championships. Earned Academic All-America honors three times and Dean's List honors five times.

Education:
Graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education from North Central College in Naperville, Ill., 1999. Earned a Master's Degree in secondary Education from Southwest Missouri State in August of 2001.

Honors:
Named the 2006 Midwest Region Men's Coach of the Year.
Named the 2004, 2005 and 2007 Midwest Region Women's Coach of the Year.
Earned UAA Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year honors from 2002-05 and in 2007.
Earned UAA Men's Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2001 and 2003.

Family:
Married to Heather Stiles. The couple has one daughter, Anya Marie Stiles, who was born on May 19, 2007.