Purdue track, cross country coach Norbert Elliott retires

WEST LAFAYETTE − After his own success reaching the Olympics, Norbert Elliott turned hos focus on molding future Olympians.

For 35 years, Elliott, who qualified for the Olympics in 1988 and '92 in triple jump for the Bahamas, coached college runners in both cross country and track and field, including the last 12 years at Purdue.

Elliott announced his retirement on Thursday.

He'd been the head coach of Purdue's track and field and cross country programs since elevating from an assistant position in 2018 to succeed Lonnie Greene after Greene left for the same position at Kentucky.

"First, I want to thank (Purdue athletic director) Mike Bobinski for giving me this opportunity,” Elliott said in a release from Purdue's athletics department. “Thank you to our sport administrator, Calvin Williams, for his wisdom and guidance, and thank you to the numerous members of our support staff that have been so instrumental in helping our program.

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“Of course, I want to thank and recognize the numerous student-athletes that I've had an impact in coaching and guiding. I've enjoyed my time working with them, and I want to wish them all good luck in their future endeavors. It has been a privilege and honor to be a part of the Purdue track & field and cross country program. I know a bright future is ahead, and I’ll certainly be a Boilermaker for life.”

Elliott began coaching in 1989 at UTEP and ventured to Georgia, Murray State, Tennessee and Campbell before coming to Purdue, where he helped the Boilermakers win a Big Ten women's outdoor championship in 2017

Former Purdue runners Devynne Charlton, Samson Colebrooke and Carmiesha Cox would go on to become Olympians after spending time under Elliott's tutelage. Former Purdue sprinter Raheem Mostert went on to become an NFL running back.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue track, cross country coach Norbert Elliott retires