BRISTOL, Tenn. – King University vice president for athletics
David Hicks announced the hire of
Jack Brunecz as the next head cross country and track & field coach.
Brunecz has served as the director of cross country and track & field at Methodist University since 2019, after serving as the head cross country coach and track's distance coach since 2015. Over seven years, he guided the Monarchs to five top three USA South finishes on the men's side in cross country and one on the women's side. That included a USA South East Division championship for the men in 2020 with a perfect score.
"Jack impressed me from our first conversation," said Hicks. "His commitment to student-athlete development and growth is apparent, and his core leadership philosophies align perfectly with our institutional and departmental missions."
Under his tutelage, both the Methodist men's and women's cross country team posted their best NCAA South/Southeast Regional Championship finishes in school history, 18th for the women in 2018 an 15th for the men in 2017. Individually, Brunecz coached 35 all-conference performers, including 17 first team members, four conference champions and one USA South Rookie of the Year in cross country. Five of his runners garnered all-region honors, including a pair of national qualifiers.
"I would like to thank vice president for athletics David Hicks and the entire interview committee for the opportunity to lead the future of the King University cross country and track & field programs," Brunecz said. "I am beyond grateful and appreciative of their belief in me to take those programs to new heights."
On the track, Brunecz coached the Monarchs to seven school records in the mid-distance and distance events. He also guided the first USA South champions in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the conference's inaugural championship in 2019. In seven years with the track program, he coached 117 all-conference honorees, including 46 that earned first team accolades. That list includes four USA South Athletes of the Year, two rookies of the year and 30 all-region athletes. He also guided six individuals to All-America honors and 10 NCAA Division III National Championships qualifiers.
"I cannot wait to get started with the student-athletes, staff, and faculty," Brunecz continued. It has always been an important component within the student-athlete experience to focus on developing the student-athlete as a person, and in turn, they will perform better as student-athletes. I look forward to continuing that culture at King University and striving to get the cross country and track & field programs on the national stage."
Prior to his time at Methodist, Brunecz served as the head cross country coach and assistant track & field coach at Pine Forest High School. He was selected 2011 Mid-South Athletic Conference Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year and guided them to their first state qualification since 1987. In cross country he coached 21 all-conference honorees along with one individual state qualifier.
In track & field, Brunecz coached 12 conference champions at Pine Forest, 10 regional champions, three state champions and one national champion. Under his guidance, 40 individuals qualified for the state championships and 13 qualified for the national championships while five school records were set.
"Jack's track record of success speaks for itself," Hicks continued. "I'm excited for the future of our cross country and track and field student-athletes, and can't wait to watch the program reach new heights under Jack's leadership."
Brunecz graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in education. He owns USATF Coaching Education Level 1 and Level 2 certifications with a distance events focus.
