Robert Gary - Furman

Furman head coach Robert Gary, a native of Chicago, Ill., is a two-time Olympian in the Steeplechase (Atlanta, 1996 and Athens, 2004), two-time World Championships qualifier, 11-time World Cross Country USA Team member, and Track & Field News 2004 Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Following an illustrious running career, Gary, who was honored as the 2019 Furman Lyles Alley Coach of the Year, has established himself as a one of the nation’s elite coaches through his involvement with USA Track and Field, as head coach of the Ohio State men’s cross country and track and field program, and now in his eighth season as head coach of the Furman cross country and track and field program, as well as the Furman Elite Professional Running Team.

In his role with USA Track & Field, Gary has been actively involved in preparing Team USA for international competition. He most recently served as the head men's coach for Team USA at the 2019 IAAF World Championship, was held Sept. 27-Oct. 6 in Doha, Qatar. Gary coached the USA senior men’s team to a runner-up finish and a silver medal at the 2013 World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland (the highest Team USA finish in history). In 2011, he served as the men’s distance coach for Team USA at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. He was the head coach for the USA junior team at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain., and was also USA’s U-23 distance coach at the North America, Central America, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) meet in Toluca, Mexico. He also served as the USATF Men’s Development Chair (1500-10k) from 2008-16.