Michael Dilley headed to the NJCAA Cross Country HOF
The former Central Oregon coach was recognized for his years of success Thursday
With an impressive coaching resume that spans three decades, former Central Oregon coach Michael Dilley was announced Thursday as the lone inductee into the NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The sole inductee for the class of 2016 began his coaching career as an assistant with Auburn in 1986 before be headed to Bend, Oregon, in 1988 to take on the task of building winning cross country and track and field programs from scratch.
Success came almost instantly for Dilley and Central Oregon as he steered both men’s and women’s cross country teams to top three finishes in five of the next six seasons. During that stretch, the men’s program captured national titles in 1989 and 1992, while the women’s team won in 1993. As a track and field coach, Dilley helped Central Oregon reach national prominence quickly as he coached six individual champions.
Always a keen eye for talent, Dilley coached a total of 95 NJCAA All-Americans during his time with Central Oregon. The accolades for his programs, however, were not limited to the course or track, but also came from the classroom as both his cross country programs were recognized with academic team honors for the 1988-89 academic year.
Dilley then moved to Boise State where he led men’s cross country to a 1996 Big West Conference championship before claiming a 1997 title with the women’s team. In addition to his cross country success, Dilley was able to lead the Broncos to pair a 1995 championships in women’s indoor and outdoor track.
Outside of the team led accomplishments, Dilley has been recognized with a number of individual honors including twice being named the Big West Cross Country Coach of the Year while also being a three-time awardee of the NJCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year. Other achievements include coaching 1999 Pan American bronze medalist Pete Julian and Cormac Finnerty, who competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Which his inclusion to the hall of fame, Dilley becomes the second honoree from Central Oregon as he joins 1998 inductee Dave Petersen.