Galesburg, IL – Two coaches who led the Knox College cross country and track and field teams on an interim basis last season are now full-time head coaches for the Prairie Fire.
Knox athletic director Chad Eisele has announced the naming of Alex Moreno as the head cross country coach and Jason Haynes as the head track and field coach. Both Moreno and Haynes served as the interim head coaches of their respective teams since December 1, 2011.
Moreno, a 1993 Knox graduate, joined the cross country coaching staff prior to the 2011 season. A former co-captain and cross country MVP, he’s one of the most successful long-distance runners in school history.
Moreno is also an assistant coach for the Prairie Fire track and field teams.
Haynes began his career at Knox in the fall of 2009 as the assistant cross country coach. He later became an assistant for the track and field teams as the sprints and high jump coach.
Haynes was promoted to the main assistant coach for the cross country and track and field teams in the summer of 2010. He continues to serve as an assistant cross country coach.
“Both (Moreno and Haynes) did an excellent job filling in as interim (coaches) and our athletes really enjoyed their coaching styles,” said Knox athletic director Chad Eisele.
“I look forward to their continued leadership with our cross country and track and field programs.”
Moreno was a member of the cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field teams at Knox, setting several all-time marks during his career. He helped the outdoor squad capture the 1987 Midwest Conference championship.
Moreno said it’s very special for him to lead the cross country program at Knox.
“I am the first in my family to graduate from college, and Knox was the school that gave me the opportunity. I met the wonderful woman I have been married to for 21 years and have had 5 children with (Debbie), at Knox. I am privileged to coach my oldest son (Gabe) in Knox's track and cross country programs,” he said. “Look at all that Knox has given me. Now is my opportunity to give back, to serve, to show that I believe in what the college stands for.”
A native of Monmouth, Haynes graduated in 2005 from Monmouth High School, where he was a three-year cross country and four-year track and field letter winner. He continued his running career at Illinois College, earning four letters each in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field.
“I would point to my time on the Illinois College track team as the time in my life when I grew the most as a person,” Haynes said.
“My goal in college was to score points for my team and contribute to its success at the conference level, and I want to instill that desire into my current athletes, as well as recruit athletes with the same mentality.”
Haynes said serving as the interim coach last season has only increased his desire to see the track and field teams succeed. “I am immensely excited at this opportunity.”
One of Moreno’s goals as the cross country head coach is to create a program that is uniquely Knox.
“In order to have a successful cross country program at Knox, I feel it needs to be dynamic, personally challenging, and deeply rewarding for the student-athlete,” he said. “The Knox student seeks out personally rewarding experiences. My plan is to provide that for the Knox athlete.”
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