Former California State Coach of the Year Joins EvCC Coaching Staff

Everett, WA – The Trojan Nation is excited to announce new head coach for the men's and women's cross country programs, Brian Locher.  Brian brings a wealth of experience and leadership most recently as the head cross country and track and field coach at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA.  He began his tenure for Cuesta in 2007 and in his first five years made an immediate impact, guiding the Cougar men and women to their best combined finishes in the program's 30-year history.  Both the men and women qualified for the CCCAA State Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.  The 2011 women's squad finished 4^th at the CCCAA State Championships to equal the 1988 team for the best finish in program history.  The team's success earned Brian recognition as the 2011 Western State Conference and CCCAA State Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year.  In addition to 2011, Brian was named Western State Conference Cross Country Coach of the year in 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2021 as well as the conference's track and field coach of the year in 2016. 

"We're ecstatic to have Brian lead our cross country programs and welcome him to our elite group of coaches here at EvCC, said Athletic Director Garet Studer.  Brian has a tremendous amount of successful experience, specifically at the CC level and understands what athletes need to be successful."

Prior to his head coaching and teaching duties at Cuesta College, Brian was employed as an assistant track & field coach at Cal Poly State University, where he also completed his Master of Science degree in Kinesiology.  Locher has also served as an assistant track coach at his alma mater, Chico State University, after graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Recreation Administration.  In addition to his most recent coaching duties Brian also gained international coaching experience under the guidance of the Olympic Sports Corps, joining the United States Olympic Committee as an assistant track coach for the Guatemalan National Team.

"I've envisioned myself coaching at Everett Community College for quite some time, said Locher. Now, having moved to the Seattle area with my family, and with the opportunity to join a team of dedicated student-athletes and coaches at Everett, it feels like fate.  I'm grateful to be able to join a Trojan program with a history of athletic success as well as to be in a position to help mentor and guide the committed runners at Everett to success in the classroom and on the cross country circuit."

Brian began his intercollegiate cross-country and track career at the community college level competing for Yuba College in Northern California. In his freshman year he qualified for the California Community College State Cross Country Meet and also reached the State Track and Field finals in the 1,500 meters during the spring. Brian finished his collegiate career at Chico State, where he completed his four-years of eligibility in both cross country and track. He specialized in the 800 meters for the Wildcat track team and also served as the Team Captain. Brian will be joined in Seattle by his wife Emily and their newborn son Jude.