Chris Fox retires from collegiate coaching; Brien Bell named interim head coach

Syracuse cross country and track head coach Chris Fox has retired from collegiate coaching, SU Athletics announced in a release Thursday morning. A national search will begin to find Fox’s replacement, the release said, and Fox’s associate head coach, Brien Bell, will serve as the interim head coach.

“My time at Syracuse has been tremendous. I am not sure I can ever express my thanks to the administration for this opportunity at Syracuse,” Fox said in the SU release. “The young people I was fortunate enough to coach were the very best; however, I have an opportunity in the professional ranks that I could not refuse. I thank everyone involved with Syracuse Athletics for what was accomplished.”

The move ends a historic 13-year run for Fox, who since taking over the program in 2005 has led the Orange to nine conference championships and the 2015 men’s cross country national championship. The success with the Orange prompted SU men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim to declare Fox “the best coach in the department,” former SU Athletic Director Daryl Gross said.

In addition to the 2015 title, Fox coached multiple individual Atlantic Coast Conference and national champions, most recently Paige Stoner (women’s cross country ACC champion and women’s steeplechase ACC champion), Noah Affolder (men’s steeplechase ACC Champion) and Justyn Knight (2017 men’s cross country national champion and indoor 5K national champion).

After his SU career, per the release, Fox will pursue professional opportunities.