McMurry University Interim Director of Athletics announced Monday, Sept. 4, the hiring of former assistant coach Corey Koch as the interim head coach for the War Hawks men's and women's cross-country programs and Samuel Willstrop as an assistant men's and women's swim coach.

"With Corey and Samuel, we have two excellent young men stepping up to lead alongside a tremendous staff of coaches," Dockery noted. "They will gain valuable insight into their skill from those individuals. We all look forward to seeing what they bring to what will be more and more excitement in War Hawks athletics."

Koch, taking over for former head coach Rexi Parcells, who joined the University of St. Louis staff in late August, served the United States Air Force for over 14 years before he retired from the military in 2021, spending five years overseas, where he was awarded the Air Force Connection Medal with a special forces unit that saved two lives while deployed in Africa. He joined the Maroon and White staff shortly after that.

Between cross country and track and field, Koch has been a part of seven American Southwest Conference championship teams and eight ASC Coaching Staff of the Year winners. He helped the 2021 and 2022 women's teams win the program's second and third conference titles all time while also assisting Jazmin Chacon in claiming the ASC Individual Medal. He also helped guide the men's program to its first conference championship since 2000.

Before joining the Air Force, Koch lettered one cross-country season at Vincennes University in 2006. In high school from 2001-05, Koch was a two-time Indiana state cross-country qualifier and a three-time Indiana regional track qualifier. After one year of college at Vincennes, Koch began his military career. He graduated from the College of the Air Force in 2018 with an associate's degree in criminal justice.

"I am beyond excited about this opportunity," Koch said. "Coach Parcells was a great source of knowledge these past years in showing how to run the program first-class. We have tremendous scholar-athletes who have stepped up from day one this year, and I'm sure that will continue."

Willstrop, a former student-athlete under McMurry head coach Mark Jedow during his career at San Antonio's Winston Churchill High School, was an NCAA Division I athlete at UNLV. He was on two Western Athletic Conference title teams.

He does have previous coaching experience. Willstrop was among a summer league staff for three years, two of which were under the direction of Jedow. He has also participated in giving individual lessons throughout his competitive career

"Sam's knowledge and experience as an NCAA Division I level athlete will greatly assist our program in elevating our competitiveness and team culture," Jedow said. "He knows my expectations and my coaching style, which will further reinforce our efforts daily to raise the level of swimming here at McMurry."