Dror Vaknin Named Head Men's Cross Country Coach
In his 18th year at UT, Dror Vaknin officially takes over the men's cross country and track teams.
TAMPA, Fla. - Longtime assistant cross country coach Dror Vaknin has been named the head men's cross country coach at the University of Tampa.
Vaknin had previously served as the assistant men's and women's cross country and track coach for 17 years under Jarrett Slaven. Vaknin will now officially lead the men's cross country teams while Slaven will continue to coach on the women's side.
As the assistant, Vaknin was in charge of full preparation and coaching for the UT men's cross country team. Under Vaknin, the Tampa men's team made a transformation into a national contender.
Vaknin led the Spartans to the 2011 Sunshine State Conference championship, marking the first in program history.
While coaching two-time SSC Runner of the Year Elias Gonzalez (2002-03), Vaknin has coached 17 runners to first-team all-SSC honors and a total of 28 members to league mention. He has also placed 19 runners on the All-South Region team.
The UT men have appeared in 13 consecutive NCAA South Regional's, including a program-best finish of second in 2007. Tampa also advanced to the NCAA Finals for the first time in 2007, and again in 2011 as it finished 22nd and 24th in the nation respectively.