Pat Tyson takes over South track and field

Former Oregon runner Pat Tyson, who ran a powerhouse prep track and field program at Mead High School in Spokane, has been named new track and field coach at South Eugene. 

Tyson replaces Jeff Hess, who resigned after last season but remains South’s cross country coach and will also coach distance runners in track and field.

Tyson started his coaching career at Shorecrest High School in Seattle before moving on to Mead, where he coached track and cross country for two decades. His teams compiled a 132-6 record in dual meets and his distance runners had a combined 26 individual state titles in track and cross country. He won 12 team cross country titles with Mead.

Tyson, who helped Oregon win the 1971 NCAA cross country championship, returned to his alma mater in 2005 as an interim distance coach and went on to coach cross country at Kentucky last season.

Tyson was a student-teacher at Spencer Butte Middle School in 1973, a time when South Eugene coach Harry Johnson was leading the Axemen to seven straight state boys track and field titles from 1971-77. 

“When South called and I walked the halls, I heard some of the voices of the past,” Tyson said. “I’ve had calls from kids that graduated from South Eugene and they said they were excited and really wanted me there. I love the Ducks, and even though I won’t be wearing Oregon colors, I’m going to be there connecting with the community that has such a great thing going on with the Olympic Trials.”

Posted by Steve Mims at 04:19 PM on Monday, October 15, 2007