FARGO, N.D. – Dennis Newell, longtime coach at the University of Mary, has been hired as the head cross country coach and assistant track & field coach at North Dakota State, NDSU announced Tuesday, Aug. 17.
 
Newell replaces Andrew Carlson, who departed NDSU for the University of Louisville earlier this month.
 
Newell has spent the past 15 years at the University of Mary, serving as the head cross country coach and associate head track & field coach from 2006-17 before being promoted to head cross country and track & field coach in August 2017.
 
He developed Mary into a regional and national power in cross country and track, specializing in the distance events. The Marauders won 24 NSIC team championships in cross country and track & field during his tenure, including 19 titles in women's track & field since 2007. The Mary women earned NCAA Division II runner-up team finishes in cross country in both 2017 and 2018.
 
"We are thrilled to add a coach of Dennis's caliber to our program at North Dakota State," said NDSU director of track & field and cross country, Stevie Keller. "He has proven to be extremely successful, both in our region and on the national level, and has shown that he can identify and develop high-achieving student-athletes. We're excited to take the next step in our already-successful cross country and distance program with him at the helm."
 
Newell has mentored 172 NCAA D-II All-Americans and 12 individual national champions, including Ida Narbuvoll most recently, who set the Division II outdoor 5,000m record.
 
Newell boasts 20 Coach of the Year honors in his career, highlighted by being named the 2013 NCAA Division II Indoor Women's Assistant Coach of the Year. He has garnered five NCAA Division II Central Region Head Coach of the Year accolades – three in women's cross country and two in women's indoor track & field – and 11 NSIC Coach of the Year awards.
 
"My family and I are excited to have the privilege to be a part of the North Dakota State University family," said Newell. "The endless opportunities for professional and personal growth in Fargo and at NDSU are very exciting. I look forward to the opportunity to lead and influence the NDSU cross country and track & field student-athletes in a positive fashion. The tradition of excellence in Bison Athletics is a challenge I look forward to in the future."
 
Newell is a USATF Level I, II, and III (Endurance) certified coach and holds his USTFCCCA Master Endorsements in cross country and middle distance.
 
Newell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in wellness management from Black Hills State University in 2004 and a Master of Science in kinesiology from North Dakota in 2005. He was a 10-time NAIA All-American at Black Hills State in cross country and track, earning individual national runner-up honors in both cross country (2002) and outdoor track (2003).
 
A native of Williston, N.D., Newell spent the first 10 years of his life in North Dakota before moving to Billings, Mont., and graduating from Skyview HS. He is married to Parshall, N.D., native Catelin Newell (NDSU, 2003), and they have four children – Piper Lynn (13), Christian Joseph (9), Crosby Ray (7) and Jonah Lee (3).