Decorated Purdue track head coach retires

Purdue track and field and cross country head coach Norbert Elliott announced his retirement after a decorated 35-year coaching career.

Elliott started as an assistant coach in Purdue’s track and field program 12 years ago and climbed the ranks to serve as the program’s head coach since 2018.

“It has been a privilege and honor to be a part of the Purdue track & field and cross country program. I know a bright future is ahead, and I’ll certainly be a Boilermaker for life,” Elliot said.

Throughout that time, Elliott gained a series of honors including a Big Ten team title in 2017, the best NCAA cross country team finish in nearly 70 years in 2019 and numerous school records, All-America accolades and top-10 individual finishes nationally.

“Of course, I want to thank and recognize the numerous student-athletes that I've had an impact in coaching and guiding,” Elliott said. “I've enjoyed my time working with them, and I want to wish them all good luck in their future endeavors.”

A two-time Olympian himself, in 1988 and 1992, Elliott coached 12 Olympians throughout his career, including Boilermaker greats Devynne Charlton, Samson Colebrooke and Carmiesha Cox. Elliott has guided eight athletes to individual NCAA titles, and he has an extended list of First Team All-Americans and individual conference champions under his tutelage.

Big Ten Athletes of the Year under Elliott’s coaching include Jaret Carpenter, Devynne Charlton and Raheem Mostert. Charlton, an eight-time All-American and now a world record-holder in the 60-meter hurdles, was named the Big Ten Track Athlete of the Year three times (indoors in 2017, outdoors in 2017 and 2018) and the Big Ten Track Athlete of the Championships four times (indoors in 2016 and 2017, outdoors in 2017 and 2018). Mostert, a four-time Big Ten champion in 2014, was the Big Ten Athlete of the Championship both indoors and outdoors in 2014.

Carpenter was named the 2019 Cross Country Athlete of the Year after he placed 10th overall at the national meet, Purdue’s top individual finish since 1949.

“Norbert Elliott has been a great colleague and positively impacted so many student-athletes during his years as both an assistant and head coach here at Purdue,” said Mike Bobinski, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “The Purdue Athletics family would like to … wish him the very best in this next chapter.”