University of North Florida has extended Jeff Pigg’s contract through the 2029 season as director of cross country/track and field, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nick Morrow announced Sept. 9. Pigg is in his 37th year of coaching and 15th season leading North Florida’s men’s and women’s programs. The extension follows historic finishes for the programs in ASUN competition.
North Florida programs posted historic finishes
Both North Florida programs finished runner-up at the 2026 ASUN Indoor Track and Field Championships, the best finishes in program history. The men’s programs also finished runner-up at the 2026 ASUN Outdoor Track and Field Championships, their best finish since 2016. The men’s and women’s cross country programs finished third at the 2025 ASUN Cross Country Championships, while the men’s cross country program placed eighth at the 2025 NCAA South Regional.
Rey Hernandez earned ASUN Men’s Most Outstanding Track Performer of the Year honors in both indoor and outdoor track and field in 2026. Tyshone Bolden was named ASUN Men’s Indoor Field Performer of the Year. Aiden Arnold and Troy Williams represented North Florida at the 2026 NCAA East Region First Round, while Arnold and Nicole Shepherd earned 2026 ASUN Indoor Track and Field Scholar Athlete of the Year honors.
North Florida enters 2026-27 with the largest roster in program history. During Pigg’s tenure, the program has expanded opportunities across more events. The expansion has occurred alongside a focus on the student-athlete experience.
Pigg’s North Florida tenure
Pigg is a six-time ASUN Coach of the Year. During his tenure, North Florida has produced 153 First Team All-ASUN, 161 Second Team All-ASUN and 127 Third Team All-ASUN selections, along with 127 ASUN All-Academic distinctions. He has also coached 18 ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honorees and 29 ASUN Superlative Award selections.
The 2026 NCAA East Region First Round appearances by Arnold and Williams brought the total number of qualifiers under Pigg to 37. The program’s 2026 results included individual recognition for Hernandez, Bolden, Arnold and Shepherd. North Florida is seeking its first ASUN Track and Field Championship in program history.
“Coach Jeff Pigg has done an exceptional job building the foundation for the future of North Florida Cross Country/Track and Field,” Morrow said. “Under his leadership, we have strategically expanded the program to provide opportunities across more events, allowing us to build the largest roster in program history while remaining committed to an outstanding student-athlete experience. Jeff’s commitment to competitive excellence, recruiting and student-athlete development have elevated our program and positioned us to take the next step toward our goal of winning the first ASUN Track and Field Championship in program history. We are excited to recognize Coach Pigg’s efforts with this contract extension and look forward to the continued growth and success of our program under his leadership.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the Cross Country/Track and Field programs at the University of North Florida,” Pigg added. “It is an incredibly exciting time here with the continued growth of North Florida, North Florida Athletics and our program. Nick Morrow and our administration have consistently demonstrated their unrivaled commitment to supporting our student-athletes, staff and program by providing the resources needed to succeed. I’m grateful for their support and shared vision of building a program that competes at the highest level. We also have an incredible support staff and coaching staff that works tirelessly for our student-athletes and that I’m extremely thankful to work with every day. It’s a great time to be a part of North Florida, and the future is very bright.”
Source: Original report