PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Head men's and women's cross country and track & field coach John Ostler has announced his resignation effective December 31, Plymouth State University Director of Athletics Kim Bownes announced on Wednesday.
 
Ostler, who has led the cross country programs for the past ten seasons and captained the track & field teams since the 2015-16 school year when the men's program was reinstated and the women's program was started, will pursue opportunities within the athletics department at Dartmouth College.
 
"I leave Plymouth State feeling a great deal of pride in what our teams and student-athletes accomplished," said Ostler. "I've been lucky enough to witness some incredible performances by some stellar athletes. I'll have memories of my time here that I'll never forget."
 
"We are thrilled for John," said Bownes. "Dartmouth is tremendously fortunate to add him to their staff, but it is a huge loss for our department. John has been a critical part of Plymouth State and our student-athletes. He's a consummate professional and incredible colleague and we certainly wish him all the best."
 
Ostler led both cross country teams to their first Little East Conference (LEC) Championships, with the women claiming the title in 2021 and the men's team earning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
 
His indoor track & field teams have experienced sustained success with eight total appearances at the National Championship meet, including six All-American finishes. The women's team has posted its highest finishes at the New England Regional Championships each of the past two winters.
 
The outdoor programs have also achieved at the highest levels, with four athletes advancing to the National Championship while claiming three All-America finishes. His outdoor athletes have combined for 23 LEC titles and three New England Regional titles.
 
Across all six teams, Ostler's athletes have garnered significant recognition: ten All-Americans, 18 NCAA Championships appearances, 17 LEC major awards winners, 64 LEC individual titles and 201 All-LEC honorees, to go with three LEC Coaching Staff of the Year awards.
 
"I'm grateful for the time I spent here at Plymouth State," Ostler added. "My athletes will tell you that I constantly remind them to 'leave it better than they found it.' As I wrap up my time here, I hope everyone would agree that I followed my own advice."
 
"Most importantly," he noted, "I'd like to thank my assistant coaches. Working with that group was the highlight of my time here. I couldn't have predicted how lucky I was to have a staff so dedicated to the success, well-being, and education of our student-athletes."
 
Alice Field, who has been on Ostler's staff since 2013, will take the reins of both programs as the Interim Head Coach for the remainder of the academic year. A formal search will take place after the outdoor season.
 
"We are very excited to elevate Alice to the interim head coach position," said Bownes. "Alice brings years of experience and is beloved by our student-athletes and the department, so we are very fortunate."
 
"I am honored and grateful to Kim and Courtney O'Clair [Associate Director of Athletics] for the opportunity to lead the cross country and track & field teams for the remainder of the year," said Field. "I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve this year and beyond. John will be greatly missed, but I know he will be cheering us on."