Northwest Notes April 14, 2026

Longtime Gonzaga and former Mead cross country and track and field coach Tyson to retire in 2027

SPOKANE — Gonzaga Athletics announced the retirement of Pat Tyson, the director of cross country and track and field and men’s head coach, effective June 30, 2027.

“After 19 incredible years with our Zag runners, I’ve decided that next season will be my “victory lap” before passing the baton to the next leader of this special program," Tyson said. "Gonzaga has been an amazing place to coach, and I’m deeply grateful for the athletes, alumni, colleagues, and friends who have made these years so meaningful. Being part of this program and the lives of so many student-athletes has truly been the honor of a lifetime."

Jake Stewart, currently head coach of the Gonzaga women's cross country and track and field teams, will take over as director of cross country and track and field effective July 1, 2027. Stewart will assume oversight of the combined women’s and men’s programs beginning in the 2027-28 season.

Tyson has served as director of cross country and track and field and head men’s coach at Gonzaga since the 2007-08 season. Under Tyson, the Bulldogs had six straight seasons with a Top-10 West Region finish and Top-15 finishes at the NCAA Championships. 

Stewart joined the Gonzaga coaching staff in 2018.

Before accepting his position with Gonzaga, Tyson held similar positions at the University of Oregon and University of Kentucky, and spent 20 years at Mead High in Spokane.

Under Tyson, Mead was 180-8 in cross country dual meets, went to state 18 consecutive years, won 12 state titles, and never placed worse than third. 

In his last three years at Mead, Tyson’s teams placed third and fourth at the Nike Team National Championships held in Portland, Ore. 

Pat Tyson ran at the University of Oregon for coaches Bill Dellinger and Bill Bowerman, the coach of four NCAA champion teams and the co-founder of Nike, Inc. While at Oregon, he was a teammate and roommate of Steve Prefontaine, Olympian and winner of three individual NCAA men’s cross country championships.

Tyson competed in three NCAA cross country championships and helped lead Oregon to first-, second-, and third-place finishes.