POTSDAM, N.Y.—SUNY Potsdam Athletic Director Jim Zalacca has named Brett Willmott as head coach of the Bears cross country and track and field programs. Willmott comes to Potsdam after holding the same position at SUNY Oneonta over the last two seasons.
 
"I'm tremendously excited with Brett joining our coaching staff," said Zalacca. "He's a proven coach who has experience at every level including his recent trip to Korea with our Olympic Team. His expertise should not only assist our current group of coaches, but also aid in the formation and ultimate growth of our cross country and track and field programs. We look forward to Brett joining our team."
 
Willmott has over 20 years' experience as a collegiate coach at both the Division III and Division I levels. In his first year with the Red Dragons, he guided both the men's and women's cross country teams to their first ever NCAA Championships appearance. Willmott's women's squad finished seventh at nationals and the men were 22nd. Three of his harriers earned all-conference recognition and one claimed All-American status. Willmott's track and field program produced three All-Americans and eight national qualifiers. The Oneonta women's cross country and track and field programs finished the 2016-17 season ranked eighth in Division III. In all, Willmott has led 26 NCAA qualifiers and 6 All-American performers in two years in both cross country and track and field.
 
"I am honored and excited to be given the opportunity to grow the programs and represent the College," said Willmott. "My family is excited to remain in the North Country and I'm looking forward to building traditions with the Bears. It is important that I have earned the responsibility, which has been entrusted in me to motivate, educate and serve our student-athletes and staff moving onward and upward."

Willmott spent the previous nine seasons as the associate head track and field coach at Division I University of Vermont. While in Burlington, he saw his Catamounts break 50 school records (men and women), win 22 conference championships and earn 123 all-conference honors. He coached the Swedish Junior National Hurdle Champion and had 10 athletes qualify for the NCAA Championships. In 2014, Willmott was member of UVM's America East Coaching Staff of the Year and coached two conference athletes of the year.
 
Since 2000-01 and every year since 2007, Willmott has been a strength and conditioning and push coach for the U.S. Olympic Skeleton Team. This February, he was with Team USA at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
 
Willmott began his coaching career as an assistant at Plattsburgh State from 1996-99. In his first tour with the Cardinals, he coached the 1998 NCAA Division III 400M Intermediate Hurdles National Champion.
 
His first head coaching position came at SUNY New Paltz as the Hawks' cross country and track and field coach from 1999-2003. Willmott then served at Plattsburgh from 2003-07 in the same capacity. At New Paltz, he coached nine SUNYAC Track and Field Champions, five All-SUNYAC cross country runners and eight Academic All-Americans. With the Cardinals, Willmott coached 41 all-conference/all-region athletes and 22 NCAA qualifiers. His track and field program set 25 school records.
 
Willmott will assume his coaching duties with the Bears this summer.