IUP has announced Patrick Gildea as the new director of cross-country and track and field.
He is a former NCAA Division one student-athlete and Southeast Conference champion, and most recently was an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga since 2023 where he helped improve the cross country and track and field programs to top-20 finishes in the NCAA Division I South Regional during the fall season. IUP Athletic Director Todd Garzarelli said in a statement that he is confident that Gildea will help restore the national prominence of the two programs.
The full announcement can be read below:
Patrick Gildea, a former NCAA Division I student-athlete and Southeastern Conference champion, has been named director of cross country and track and field at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the university announced.
Gildea most recently served as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga since 2023, where he helped elevate the Mocs’ men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs. Both programs recorded top-20 finishes at the NCAA Division I South Regional during the fall season.
“I am excited to bring my experiences to Indiana and the Crimson Hawk family,” Gildea said. “I am grateful to Todd Garzarelli and the search committee, who introduced me to the campus during the interview process.”
IUP Director of Athletics Todd Garzarelli said Gildea brings a proven record of success and leadership.
“I am proud to formally welcome Patrick to the IUP Department of Athletics,” Garzarelli said. “I’m confident in Patrick’s ability to restore the national prominence of our cross country and track and field programs.”
During his time at Chattanooga, Gildea recruited and mentored numerous student-athletes to personal-best performances, all-conference honors and individual conference championships. Among the highlights, Ryleigh Simmons became the first sprinter in program history to win the 100-meter title for the Mocs. Lesley Boyd and Maddie Wheatcroft finished first and third, respectively, in the 5,000-meter race, while Emma Thweatt earned Southern Conference all-freshman honors in the 10,000-meter during the 2025 outdoor season.
“Patrick is a very accomplished runner, recruiter and versatile coach who understands what it takes to build a championship culture without sacrificing a quality academic or student-athlete experience,” Garzarelli said.
Gildea competed collegiately at the University of Tennessee in the early 2000s, helping the Volunteers capture the 2002 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championship. He earned all-region honors in cross country in 2001 and 2002 and was named to the All-SEC Team. He was also selected as SEC Cross Country Athlete of the Week and earned Most Valuable Runner honors, scoring in every race of the season. Gildea received the Vega-Watts Award, presented for the greatest sacrifice in service to the team.
Following his collegiate career, Gildea competed professionally in track and field, placing in the top 10 in multiple events in 2008 and 2009. He earned international recognition with selections to International Association of Athletics Federations World Championship events in 2006 and 2008 and finished seventh in the 10,000 meters at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Gildea began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Saint Francis University from 2010-12, guiding student-athletes to multiple All-Northeast Conference honors. He later served as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach at West High School from 2012-20 while also teaching.
“Everyone had positive things to say about IUP and the Indiana community,” Gildea said. “I believe that IUP is a place where student-athletes can thrive and be successful. I am looking forward to working with coach Hanoj Carter and our student-athletes while continuing to build strong relationships within our program.”
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