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BREAKING: Wisconsin Head Coach Mick Byrne to Retire in June 2026
- Aimee Mackenzie
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
Written by Aimee Morganti, edits & additional commentary via Garrett Zatlin
Mick Byrne, the University of Wisconsin’s Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, has announced his retirement from collegiate coaching. In doing so, he leaves a legacy that spans over 40 years, including 18 years with the Badgers and 24 years with the Iona Gaels.
He will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 outdoor track season.
In the press release, Byrne explained...
“After spending 18 incredible years at Wisconsin and 24 at Iona, I am today announcing my retirement, effective at the conclusion of the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. It is time for me to return to New York and be with my family. Here at Wisconsin, I have been surrounded by an amazing staff who helped us win many championships. Their hard work and dedication made Wisconsin a special place to work. We had fun together. The student-athletes I had the privilege to coach here and at Iona made a huge impact on me throughout the years and I am a better today because of them.”
Byrne’s coaching career, specifically at Wisconsin, resulted in his athletes and teams securing numerous honors. During his time in Madison, Byrne produced 121 All-Americans, 14 NCAA individual champions and nine NCAA XC Championship podium finishes.
In 2011, he guided his men’s program to the team title at the NCAA XC Championships, winning gold over Oklahoma State, 97 points to 139 points.
Often viewed as a long distance powerhouse at the national level, the Wisconsin men recorded three-consecutive top-three podium finishes from 2010 to 2012 in cross country. In 2018, Byrne coached Australian Morgan McDonald who went on to win the individual cross country national title on Wisconsin's home course.
Byrne leaves the NCAA as the winningest cross country coach in the history of the BIG 10 after his men's squads claimed 14 conference team titles. Additionally, he coached 95 individual BIG 10 champions, secured four BIG 10 track and field team titles and led his athletes to setting 45 school records.
Before his career with the Badgers, Byrne coached the men’s cross country program at Iona University for 24 years. There, he led the Gaels to historic levels of success with 12 national meet appearances and 17-consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference titles.
University of Wisconsin has stated that they are beginning their national search for the program's next head coach.