Pollock Announces Retirement

June 17, 2008

Clemson, SC — Bob Pollock has announced his retirement as Clemson Men’s Track and Field Coach effective the end of the United States Olympic Trials in early July. Pollock has served as the head coach of the men’s program for 20 years and taken the cross country, indoor track and outdoor track programs to a combined 21 ACC Championships.

“I have enjoyed continuing the success and rich tradition of Clemson track and field/cross country during my tenure,” said Pollock. “Our program is nationally recognized due to the commitment, dedication, talent and desire to excel of our student-athletes and assistant coaches.

“I have been proud to be associated with these people at Clemson. Athletics is an exciting and challenging part of my life. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people.”

In 20 seasons under Pollock, the men’s track & field program won 21 ACC Championships (11 indoor, nine outdoor, one cross country). His indoor teams won every ACC crown from 1989-93, then from 1997-2002. He led the Tigers to outdoor conference titles in each of his first three seasons. In cross country, Pollock’s 1988 team won the league championship and finished fourth at the NCAA national meet.

Pollock was National Coach-of-the-Year indoors in 1992 after leading Clemson to a runner-up team finish, best in program history. He was named ACC Coach-of-the-Year 19 times, including the 2008 outdoor season when he guided the Tigers to a runner-up finish at the conference meet. He was named Region Coach-of-the-Year 16 times, most recently for the 2007 indoor season.

He coached 13 national champions during his time at Clemson, including 10 indoors. Current junior Michael Green, Shawn Crawford, and Ato Modibo all won multiple national championships under Pollock’s watch.

Pollock mentored nearly 200 All-Americans during his tenure at Clemson, including current six-time honoree Padgett. Former sprinters Crawford and James Trapp combined to earn 21 All-America certificates under Pollock’s direction. Clemson had at least one All-American in each of his 20 seasons.

Fourteen student-athletes from Pollock’s program went on to compete in the Olympic Games. Two of the athletes, Crawford and Carlton Chambers, won gold medals for their respective countries. Crawford won the 200m dash for the U.S. in the 2004 games, while Chambers was part of Canada’s gold medal winning 4x100m relay in Atlanta in 1996.

“We wish to thank Coach Pollock for his 20 years of service to Clemson athletics,” said Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips. “He brought this program to another level in terms of national prominence and consistency at the national and conference level. He has coached NCAA Champions and All-Americans and had many top 20 teams. He had a positive impact on the careers of countless student-athletes. We wish the very best for Coach Pollock in his future endeavors.

“We will begin a national search for a new men’s coach this week.”