PROVO, Utah – BYU track and field and cross country head coach Ed Eyestone has announced the hiring of new director of operations Isaac Wood. Wood joins BYU following a tenure at Weber State University, where he worked as the assistant track and field and cross country coach since 2014.
“We are excited to welcome back Isaac Wood to the BYU track and field family,” Eyestone said. “He was our team manager and assistant for many years, and he will be bringing his talent for recruiting along with a bundle of enthusiasm and great organizational skills to the director of operations position.”
Wood is excited to not only return to his alma mater but to working with the great coaches, athletes and administrators that are here in Provo.
"I'm very excited for the opportunity to be back at BYU," Wood said. "I'm grateful for the wonderful places I've been able to work and the great coaches I've been able to learn from and terrific athletes to coach. BYU is such a unique place and I'm thrilled to be a part of such a tremendous program and to continue to work with excellent coaches and student-athletes."
Wood graduated from BYU in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in History. While at BYU he worked as the track and field/cross country team manager and played a role in recruiting several top-placing athletes. While Wood was particupating on the staff, BYU placed fourth and sixth at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Wood received a master's degree in Sport Management from Florida State University in 2013. While at FSU, he worked as the cross country and track and field graduate assistant, participating in recruiting, opponent scouting reports and organization of team events. The FSU cross country team finished eighth at NCAA Nationals while Wood was a part of the staff.
Following his time at Florida State, Wood worked for Flotrack as a senior analyst and livestream commentator, heading up research and ranking the top NCAA Cross Country teams. He also produced content and wrote material about high school, collegiate and professional runners, teams and competitive events. He was then hired as the track and field and cross country assistant coach at Weber State University.
Wood replaces former director of operations Ryan Waite who has worked for BYU track and field and cross country since 2014. He leaves the Cougars to take a track and field and cross country coaching position at the University of Delaware.
“Ryan has been an amazing director of ops for us the last two years, but we are excited and happy for him as he embarks on this new phase of his career,” Eyestone said. “As an All-American athlete at BYU and a successful director of ops, he is well-prepared to coach at the highest levels. We wish him all the best and know he will be a great success.”