Xavier hires Sam Burroughs as new cross country, track and field coach

Xavier University introduced Sam Burroughs as the Musketeers' new head coach for cross country and track and field on Monday. 

Burroughs, with 20 years of coaching experience at the college level, joins Xavier after previously working as associate head coach at the University of Cincinnati from 2013-20. 

“I am excited to welcome Sam Burroughs to the Xavier family as our new head cross country and track and field coach. Out of the 140 candidates, Sam’s extensive resume stood out with 20 years of experience as a head coach, associate head coach and an assistant at a wide range of institutions," said Greg Christopher, Xavier's vice president for administration and direction of athletics. "His emphasis on student-athlete success in every area of their Xavier experience aligns with our mission. He has the qualities to be the CEO of our cross country and track and field programs at a very exciting time, including the upcoming opening of the Heidt Family Champions Center.”

Burroughs was part of a UC staff that saw seven school records set and four individual NCAA qualifiers. 

Prior to Cincinnati, Burroughs was the head cross country coach at North Texas (2010-13), where he coached three conference athletes of the year and helped two student-athletes win multiple individual conference titles in track and field. 

From 2008-10, Burroughs was the head cross country coach at Abilene Christian – helping the program capture back-to-back conference titles in men’s cross country, and in 2008, he guided the men's team to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA cross country championships.