Head Coach Leroy Burrell to Leave the Program
6/16/2022 11:40:00 AM | Track and Field
Long-time Track & Field coach to take over at Auburn
HOUSTON – After a historic run as the head coach of the University of Houston track and field team, Leroy Burrell announced he is leaving the program on Thursday.
A former world record holder in the 100-meter dash and student-athlete at Houston, Burrell, took over the program after legendary Head Coach Tom Tellez retired in 1999. In his 23 years at the helm of the Track and Field program, Burrell coached 11 Olympians, 15 NCAA Champions, 254 All-Americans and 353 individual conference champions. He guided the team to a combined 44 conference championship titles while being a 37-time Conference Coach of the Year and saw 46 school records fall.
"I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be the coach, and I appreciate the tremendous commitment and effort to bring the University of Houston Track and Field program to the level of excellence it has reached," Burrell said.
"I first stepped foot on Cullen Boulevard as an 18-year recruit and have remained associated in one-way shape or form since 1985. I grew up and realized all my dreams at the University. I then went on to travel the world as a professional all while being coached by Tom Tellez and training with Carl Lewis and the rest of the Cougars that trained post collegiately on campus. When I retired, UH gave me an unprecedented opportunity to be the head coach, and I am grateful to Chet Gladchuk, Diane Howell and Tom Tellez for giving me an opportunity when I didn't deserve it. I, along with my staff and student-athletes, went about building the Cougar Track and Field program to national prominence through some of the most difficult, darkest days in the history of our university. For more than 34 years, I poured everything I had into Cougar Ttrack and Field as a student-athlete, alumnus and coach. Before August last year, my intention was to continue to lead the program, but that all changed when I lost my son, Cameron, on Aug. 9, 2021.
I am forever grateful to Chris Pezman, DeJuena Chizer, Lauren Dubois and the department staff, the Track and Field staff, especially Will Blackburn and Carl Lewis and Mike Pede, who literally held me up me when I couldn't stand. It was difficult for me to return, but with time and everyone's support, I was able to function well enough to return in a limited role. In reality, I returned, but I have not quite been the same leader that I was. My only goal was to support the student-athletes because they really became all that mattered. All the while I prayed to either return to being myself or for a door to open to allow me to do something else. The opportunity at Auburn is exactly the door I'd prayed for because it provides me an opportunity to wipe my slate clean and jumpstart my career without the daily reminder of losing my son.
Although I will no longer lead the Track and Field program, I am forever a part of the family of Cougars and will always have a vested interest in the success of the program. I wish the entire staff and student-athletes best wishes as they embark on a new challenge of transitioning to the Big 12. I'm sure the Track and Field team and the department will fare well. My time on Cullen Boulevard has come to an end but rest assured that, whatever God has in store for me and my family, I will bleed Cougar red. Farewell Cougar Nation and Go Coogs!"
The 2016-17 season marked a banner year for Burrell's coaching career after his 4x100-meter relay squad claimed the NCAA Championship in the event. The team of John Lewis III, Mario Burke, Jacarias Martin and the late Cameron Burrell ran a school-record 38.44 to claim the gold and win Houston's first relay title since 1982.
The Cougars continued to have immense success during the 2017-18 season as the Cougars won their second straight NCAA title in the 4x100-meter relay. Lewis III, Elijah Hall, Burke and Cameron Burrell claimed the title after running the fastest time ever recorded at the championships, clocking a time of 38.17. It would be a remarkable year for the Cougars as the younger Burrell would become an individual national champion, claiming the title in the 100-meter with a time of 10.02 to become the program's first national champion in the event since his father earned the title in 1990. That very same year, Houston earned its first of back-to-back third-place finishes at the Outdoor Championships.
"Leroy leaves Houston with an incredible legacy and one upon which we will build," Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "We couldn't be more thankful to him, Michelle and their family for everything they have done for our University and community. He will leave as one of our most decorated coaches in the history of our department, leading the Track and Field team to 44 conference titles as well as many accolades on the national stage. He elevated the success of the team, coaching numerous All-Americans and national champions in his 23 years. We wish Coach Burrell and his family the very best as they begin the next chapter of life and know he will always be a part of the University of Houston."
As a student-athlete at Houston, Burrell was a three-time NCAA national champion. As a junior for the Cougars, he won the NCAA indoor long jump title before participating in the USA Outdoor Championships running the fastest time ever recorded by a collegian in the 100-meter at 9.94. He also teamed with Carl Lewis, Danny Everett and Floyd Heard to set a world record in the 4x200-meter relay with a time of 1:19.38.
As a senior in 1990, Burrell won the NCAA indoor long jump title for the second straight year with a leap of 27 feet. At the SWC Outdoor Championships, Burrell ran one of the best sprint doubles ever recorded. He ran the fastest 200-meter ever run under any conditions with a wind-aided time of 19.61 and ran a wind-aided 9.94 time in the 100-meter to easily win both races.
He collected his third NCAA title in the 100m-meter in Durham, N.C., when he posted a wind-aided time of 9.94 seconds and set a meet record in the semifinals with a time of 10.03 seconds. His outstanding season resulted in Burrell receiving the "Jumbo Elliott Award" as the nation's top collegiate track and field athlete.
After completing his collegiate eligibility, Burrell was ranked as the world's top sprinter in 1990 and 1991 after winning 19 of his 22 races in the 100-meter.
Associate Head Coach Will Blackburn will serve as the Interim Head Coach of the Houston track and field program.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
A former world record holder in the 100-meter dash and student-athlete at Houston, Burrell, took over the program after legendary Head Coach Tom Tellez retired in 1999. In his 23 years at the helm of the Track and Field program, Burrell coached 11 Olympians, 15 NCAA Champions, 254 All-Americans and 353 individual conference champions. He guided the team to a combined 44 conference championship titles while being a 37-time Conference Coach of the Year and saw 46 school records fall.
"I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be the coach, and I appreciate the tremendous commitment and effort to bring the University of Houston Track and Field program to the level of excellence it has reached," Burrell said.
"I first stepped foot on Cullen Boulevard as an 18-year recruit and have remained associated in one-way shape or form since 1985. I grew up and realized all my dreams at the University. I then went on to travel the world as a professional all while being coached by Tom Tellez and training with Carl Lewis and the rest of the Cougars that trained post collegiately on campus. When I retired, UH gave me an unprecedented opportunity to be the head coach, and I am grateful to Chet Gladchuk, Diane Howell and Tom Tellez for giving me an opportunity when I didn't deserve it. I, along with my staff and student-athletes, went about building the Cougar Track and Field program to national prominence through some of the most difficult, darkest days in the history of our university. For more than 34 years, I poured everything I had into Cougar Ttrack and Field as a student-athlete, alumnus and coach. Before August last year, my intention was to continue to lead the program, but that all changed when I lost my son, Cameron, on Aug. 9, 2021.
I am forever grateful to Chris Pezman, DeJuena Chizer, Lauren Dubois and the department staff, the Track and Field staff, especially Will Blackburn and Carl Lewis and Mike Pede, who literally held me up me when I couldn't stand. It was difficult for me to return, but with time and everyone's support, I was able to function well enough to return in a limited role. In reality, I returned, but I have not quite been the same leader that I was. My only goal was to support the student-athletes because they really became all that mattered. All the while I prayed to either return to being myself or for a door to open to allow me to do something else. The opportunity at Auburn is exactly the door I'd prayed for because it provides me an opportunity to wipe my slate clean and jumpstart my career without the daily reminder of losing my son.
Although I will no longer lead the Track and Field program, I am forever a part of the family of Cougars and will always have a vested interest in the success of the program. I wish the entire staff and student-athletes best wishes as they embark on a new challenge of transitioning to the Big 12. I'm sure the Track and Field team and the department will fare well. My time on Cullen Boulevard has come to an end but rest assured that, whatever God has in store for me and my family, I will bleed Cougar red. Farewell Cougar Nation and Go Coogs!"
The 2016-17 season marked a banner year for Burrell's coaching career after his 4x100-meter relay squad claimed the NCAA Championship in the event. The team of John Lewis III, Mario Burke, Jacarias Martin and the late Cameron Burrell ran a school-record 38.44 to claim the gold and win Houston's first relay title since 1982.
The Cougars continued to have immense success during the 2017-18 season as the Cougars won their second straight NCAA title in the 4x100-meter relay. Lewis III, Elijah Hall, Burke and Cameron Burrell claimed the title after running the fastest time ever recorded at the championships, clocking a time of 38.17. It would be a remarkable year for the Cougars as the younger Burrell would become an individual national champion, claiming the title in the 100-meter with a time of 10.02 to become the program's first national champion in the event since his father earned the title in 1990. That very same year, Houston earned its first of back-to-back third-place finishes at the Outdoor Championships.
"Leroy leaves Houston with an incredible legacy and one upon which we will build," Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "We couldn't be more thankful to him, Michelle and their family for everything they have done for our University and community. He will leave as one of our most decorated coaches in the history of our department, leading the Track and Field team to 44 conference titles as well as many accolades on the national stage. He elevated the success of the team, coaching numerous All-Americans and national champions in his 23 years. We wish Coach Burrell and his family the very best as they begin the next chapter of life and know he will always be a part of the University of Houston."
As a student-athlete at Houston, Burrell was a three-time NCAA national champion. As a junior for the Cougars, he won the NCAA indoor long jump title before participating in the USA Outdoor Championships running the fastest time ever recorded by a collegian in the 100-meter at 9.94. He also teamed with Carl Lewis, Danny Everett and Floyd Heard to set a world record in the 4x200-meter relay with a time of 1:19.38.
As a senior in 1990, Burrell won the NCAA indoor long jump title for the second straight year with a leap of 27 feet. At the SWC Outdoor Championships, Burrell ran one of the best sprint doubles ever recorded. He ran the fastest 200-meter ever run under any conditions with a wind-aided time of 19.61 and ran a wind-aided 9.94 time in the 100-meter to easily win both races.
He collected his third NCAA title in the 100m-meter in Durham, N.C., when he posted a wind-aided time of 9.94 seconds and set a meet record in the semifinals with a time of 10.03 seconds. His outstanding season resulted in Burrell receiving the "Jumbo Elliott Award" as the nation's top collegiate track and field athlete.
After completing his collegiate eligibility, Burrell was ranked as the world's top sprinter in 1990 and 1991 after winning 19 of his 22 races in the 100-meter.
Associate Head Coach Will Blackburn will serve as the Interim Head Coach of the Houston track and field program.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
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