CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah University Athletics has announced the hiring of Isaac Wood as the next head coach of the Thunderbirds men's and women's track & field and cross country programs. Wood succeeds longtime coach Eric Houle, who retired following the 2026 season after more than two decades leading one of the most successful programs in Big Sky Conference history.
Wood arrives in Cedar City after helping to guide the men's and women's track and field and cross country programs at the University of the Pacific, bringing a proven track record of building championship-caliber programs, developing student-athletes, and fostering a culture of excellence.
Interim Athletics Director Tom Higbee Said
"We are excited to welcome Isaac Wood to Southern Utah University," said Interim Athletics Director Tom Higbee. "Isaac has an exceptional ability to build winning programs, develop student-athletes at the highest levels, and create a culture centered on excellence. His vision for the future of our track & field and cross country programs aligns perfectly with the tradition established here at Southern Utah."
Wood spent three seasons at Salt Lake Community College from 2022-24, where he transformed the Bruins into a national powerhouse. During his tenure, SLCC captured five NJCAA national championships, including two women's cross-country titles, two women's half-marathon titles, and a men's cross-country title.
Under Wood's leadership, the Bruins produced nine individual national champions, highlighted by JaQuavious Harris, a two-time national champion who set NJCAA records in the 5,000 meters. Wood earned NJCAA Women's Coach of the Year honors in 2023 before becoming one of the few coaches to be recognized as both the Men's and Women's NJCAA National Coach of the Year in 2024. He was also honored with the Governor of Utah's State of Sport Coach of the Year Award.
Following his success at SLCC, Wood joined Pacific University, where he continued to elevate programs on both the conference and national stages. The Pacific women's cross country team was recognized by the Cross Country Rating Index (XCRI) as the most improved program in the NCAA, while Wood built the university's men's cross country program from its inception, guiding the squad to a fourth-place finish at the prestigious Bronco Invitational. He also coached Jack Weber to the 2026 MPSF Indoor Mile Championship, further demonstrating his ability to develop championship-caliber student-athletes at every level.
Head Coach Isaac Wood Said
"I am honored to join Southern Utah University and build upon the incredible legacy that Coach Houle established," Wood said. "Southern Utah has long been recognized as one of the premier distance-running and track & field programs in the West. The tradition of excellence, the support for student-athletes, and the passion of the T-Bird Nation make this a truly special opportunity. My family and I are excited to become part of the SUU family."
Before his success at SLCC, Wood gained valuable experience with nationally prominent NCAA programs. He served as Director of Operations for BYU Track & Field from 2016-20, helping support a program that included the 2019 NCAA Men's Cross Country National Championship team. During his tenure, both the men's and women's programs consistently ranked among the nation's elite, including a runner-up finish by the women's cross country team in 2019.
Wood also held coaching roles at Weber State, where he helped develop All-American distance runners Jamie Stokes and Mike Hardy, and Florida State, where he served as a graduate assistant. His collegiate coaching career began at BYU as a team manager before advancing through the coaching ranks.
Beyond collegiate athletics, Wood is widely respected throughout the running community as Executive Director of the Run Elite Program, Utah's first professional running organization. In that role, he has continued to mentor and coach elite post-collegiate athletes while helping grow the sport throughout the region. Among the professional athletes he has coached is Ethan Shuley, who recorded the seventh-fastest marathon in American history with a 2:07:14 at the Osaka Marathon. Wood's success at the professional level further reflects his ability to develop athletes from the collegiate ranks through the highest levels of competition.
Wood's commitment to service has also extended beyond athletics. He has volunteered as a coach within the Utah State Prison system, using running and mentorship to positively impact inmates. His efforts have been featured in national media, including The Washington Post and Sports Illustrated.
A native of North Salt Lake, Utah, Wood earned his bachelor's degree in history from BYU in 2013. He speaks six languages—English, Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, Thai, and Spanish—and comes from a family deeply rooted in track and field. His father, Bob Wood, was a prominent figure in the track and field community and worked extensively with USA Track & Field, while his brother, Sam, spent two decades as the head coach at Woods Cross High School, leading the Wildcats to back-to-back Utah state championships.
Wood and his wife, Elise, have a son, Beckert, and a daughter, Charlotte.
As head coach, Wood will oversee all aspects of Southern Utah's men's and women's track & field and cross country programs as the Thunderbirds continue their proud tradition of conference championships, national qualifiers, and academic excellence.
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