Ellis Gallion spent the last five seasons as the Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s and women’s track and field coach, and what was arguably his best year will be his last.

According to a release by MVNU on July 10, the university will be searching across the nation for a replacement after Gallion announced his departure.

Galion led the men’s track and field team to 16th in the USTFCCCA National Rating Index in February, which is the best in the team’s history. The men’s team also had their best showings in program history at the Crossroads League Indoor Championships and Crossroads League Outdoor Championships, placing second and third respectively.

Gallion coached conference champions, national qualifiers and All-Americans during his tenure at the helm.

He was the second head coach since current Director of Athletics and former Head Coach Chip Wilson started the teams. Wilson said Ellis has been a “tremendous leader” for the track teams, and also an integral part of the Athletic Department and MVNU community.

“He has taken this program to a new level with his recruitment and focus on competitive excellence,” Wilson said in the release. “As a former member of our track program and now leading the program for the last five years, Ellis has a special connection with our track program and love for the university.  His investment in our students will be greatly missed, and we are thankful for his time at MVNU."