Rodney Rothoff has been named the new head coach of the Sacramento State cross country team and with him comes plenty of big time experience.

Rothoff, a 1990 graduate of Methodist College in North Carolina, comes to Sac State from the University of Oklahoma where he served as the head cross country coach from 2002-2005. While with Oklahoma, Rothoff recruited two All-Americans. One of his All-Americans, Jessica Eldridge, was the first Oklahoma runner to win the Big 12 championship and an NCAA regional title.

“He brings so much to the table with his 14 years of experience,” Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Kathleen Raske said. “He gets the best out of his athletes.”

Prior to serving at Oklahoma, Rothoff coached at other highly regarded programs (Tennessee, Clemson and Arkansas-Little Rock).

“He is going to make an impact on this program,” assistant coach Juan Vazquez said.

Rothoff said the area, the facilities and the support of Raske and the Sac State administration all played a big part in him committing to coach here.

“The potential here is big,” Rothoff said.

Senior Michelle Garcia said she has already learned so much from Rothoff in his short time with the program.

“You put a lot of trust in him because he knows what he’s talking about,” Garcia said. “He’s confident in us, and we’re confident in him.”

Rothoff has already begun to put his stamp on the program through his extensive training program.

Garcia said she had always focused on endurance and had never thought to also build strength.

“Every inch of my body is fit from training,” Garcia said. “I know with this training we are going to improve.”

Raske said she is really pleased to have Rothoff as the head coach and that it’s another big step for the program.

“He knows how to get results,” Raske said. “They will be challenged in a whole new way.”

The Hornet runners, with new head coach Rothoff in tow, travel to Stanford University on Saturday for the day-long Stanford Invitational.

“This team has a lot of energy and desire,” Rothoff said.