Two-time Olympian in the 3,000m steeplechase Robert Gary was named Ohio State University's seventh men's track and field head coach on Monday. The men's cross country head coach at Ohio State since his graduation from OSU in 1996, Gary succeeds Russ Rogers, who retired in June after 19 seasons with the Buckeyes.

Gary was named 2005 Great Lakes Region Cross Country Coach of the Year last season and led the Buckeye men's cross country squad to a runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships, third place in the Great Lakes meet and an 11th place finish at the 2005 NCAA Championships.

"Being named the track and field head coach at my alma mater is almost beyond my dreams," said Gary, who has been named Ohio Cross Country Coach of the Year five of the last six seasons. "Being a part of the outstanding track and field tradition at The Ohio State University is truly an honor.

"I will be committed to building a complete track and field team. We will create a culture for our student-athletes to achieve their academic and athletic goals. I envision a balanced team with all the event areas working toward a common goal of a Big Ten championship."