West Liberty, W.V. – West Liberty University Athletic Director, Lynn Ullom, announced the resignation of head men's and women's cross country and track & field coach Justin Simpson on Monday afternoon. Over the past seven seasons Simpson has brought his programs to new levels, bringing home the school's first-ever Mountain East Conference title in the sport of track & field as the men's program won the MEC Indoor Track & Field Championship in 2023.

"We are deeply appreciative of all the time and effort that Justin has dedicated to our cross country and track programs," stated Ullom. "He is leaving the program in a great place, and we certainly wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Since Simpson was hired in January of 2017, the Hilltopper programs have steadily moved up within the Mountain East Conference. In 2022-23 the men's and women's cross country programs finished fourth and fifth respectively at the MEC Championships, while the men's and women's track & field teams finished first and second respectively at the MEC Indoor Championships and both finished runners-up at the MEC Outdoor Championships.

With Simpson's resignation, Ullom will turn the reigns of the WLU cross country and track & field programs over to Jason Falvo, naming him the interim head coach. "West Liberty University is excited to name Jason Falvo as the interim head coach of our cross country and track programs," stated Ullom. "Coach Falvo has made a tremendous impression on both our administration and our student-athletes, and I am confident that he has the necessary skill set to continue our quest for MEC championships."

Falvo has been an assistant coach on Simpson's staff since June of 2020, working with the sprints, jumps, hurdles, and vault squads. "As I transition into this new role, I am extremely thankful to Coach Simpson for providing me with the opportunity to join his staff three years ago," stated Falvo. "Our time together has been a valuable experience to my career that has allowed me to grow both as a coach and as a leader. I trust I can continue to build upon the solid foundation he has put in place during his tenure."

During his time with the Hilltoppers, Falvo has been instrumental in the growth of the program's success. In his role with the sprints, jumps, hurdles, and vault squads, he has handled the training, conditioning, recruitment, and academic mentoring of those student-athletes. In the past two years WLU has seen Reese Burnside (pole vault), Liam Vinskovich (high jump), and Kelsi Hulit (discus) all qualify for the NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships.

"The future is bright on the Hilltop! I understand and accept the responsibility that President Borchers and Coach Ullom have charged me with," stated Falvo. "We are a young talented program with great upside. The opportunity to work beside these young adults in reaching their goals is exciting! Over my 25 years of coaching at the collegiate level, I have been fortunate to be around amazing teams who have reached the pinnacle of our sport both academically and athletically. This group of Hilltoppers we have are second to none. Their passion to achieve goals set before them is unmatched. I could not be more excited to help foster this journey in the coming years."

Prior to his time at West Liberty, Falvo spent one season at the helm of both Eastern University (2019-20) and Clarion University (2018-19). As the head coach of the men's and women's track & field teams at Eastern, he coached the women's team to their first-ever Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) title in the sport of track & field, clinching the 2020 MAC Indoor Women's Track & Field Championship. From his 2019-20 squad he had a pair of national qualifiers for the NCAA Division III Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships who garnered three All-American honors. In 2018-19 at Clarion as the head women's track & field coach, his team recorded their best finish in the PSAC Indoor Track & Field Championships since 2010.

Falvo earned his first head coaching role in January of 2005, being named the first head men's and women's track & field coach at Waynesburg University (2005-17) as the Yellow Jackets resurrected a program that was cut in the 1970's. He built the program from the ground up, spearheading the growth of the team from only 15 student-athletes in year one to over 90 in 2017. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, his teams won four Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) titles, claiming the 2013 and 2016 PAC Women's Outdoor Championships as well as sweeping the PAC Women's Indoor and Outdoor Championships in 2017. He coached a total of 28 national qualifiers with five earning All-American honors, to go along with 145 All-PAC Athletes and 151 ECAC qualifiers.

While at Waynesburg, Falvo was a 6-time Presidents' Athletic Conference coach of the year honoree. He was recognized as the PAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017, and was named the PAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2017. During his one season at Eastern, he earned recognition as the Middle Atlantic Conference Women's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2020. Falvo has also been honored at the regional level, garnering NCAA Mid East Region Women's Indoor Coach of the Year honors twice, earning the award in 2010 with the Yellow Jackets and 2020 with the Eagles.

Falvo holds USTFCAA Track & Field Academy Level 1 Coach, USA Track & Field Level 1 Coach, USTFCAA Track & Field Academy Level 2 Sprints/Hurdles, and USTFCAA Track & Field Academy Level 2 Endurance certifications. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Administration and Coaching from Waynesburg University, as well as a Master's Degree in Education from Muskingum College.