Nate Houle Steps Down as Bengal Cross Country Coach

POCATELLO, Idaho - After serving as Idaho State University's Head Cross Country Coach since 2015, Nate Houle has decided to step down from the position at the end of the 2023-24 season.  
 
"Over the past 9 years at ISU my family and I have really grown to love the community here in Pocatello," remarked Houle. "My kids have been raised as Bengal fans and have loved being part of the campus community. It's unfortunate to step away from all of this but it has become increasingly difficult to be as competitive as I would like to be in a national-level conference with the circumstances and resources that exist. I'd like to be a better husband and father to my wife and kids and so I've decided to step away from college coaching to focus more on them. It's already been very hard to say goodbye to the coaches and athletes here. The teams are full of young talent and I am sad to not be part of their future development and success. My family and I will still be here in Pocatello as business owners and will continue to support ISU Track & Field and Cross Country in any way we can."
 
Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Hillary Merkley also started her career with the Bengals around the same time and had this to say about Houle. 
 
"Nate and I took over at a time when our teams were placing at the bottom of the Big Sky Conference. We had limited funding, limited scholarships, and failing facilities and that first year it was me and him solo with a huge roster going up against teams with a lot more resources. Over the course of the 9 years, there has been a lot of growth for the department, program, and our students. We have been able to work together to get additional funds for equipment, money for travel, money for opportunities, and advocated and created a better experience for the Track and Field cross country teams than has ever been available in previous years.
 
 Nate has always had a passion for the sports and he has always been a person of integrity and a builder of people. He served as our meet director and coordinator which has brought in thousands of dollars to our program. Nate has been a tireless advocate for our program and knows firsthand the battles we all have had to fight to advance a group of people forward and support them in their goals and dreams. I don't think people on the outside and even our students fully know the amount of dedication and personal sacrifice that goes into being a coach at this level and what it takes to do all those things we do to stay be competitive and the Big Sky is the most competitive conference in the Country especially on the distance side. I am proud to have learned and worked with him.
 
Nate has a beautiful young family that has been supportive and has gone without a great deal so he could be here to support Idaho State Athletics and our students. It was a sad day for me yesterday as I have gotten to know him so well and frankly, I haven't done it without him. I couldn't have accomplished the things we have without him. I am excited for him to be able to give more time to himself and those who matter most, his family. I hope we can continue to always have him involved on a small level as a loyal and positive Bengal Fan, Family Member and Coach."
 
 
During his tenure at the helm of the Idaho State XC program, Houle saw success coaching Bengal Student Athletes to 46 of Idaho State's all-time top-10 marks, including two Idaho State school records.
 
Houle's men's and women's distance squads were consistently ranked top 25 in the mountain region poll put out by the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
 
 
Director of Athletics Pauline Thiros added. 
 
"I extend deep appreciation to Coach Houle for his commitment to Idaho State Track & Field, and in particular as the leader of our cross country program. Our student-athletes have spoken highly of Coach Houle and his commitment to their experience and well-being, and the positive relationships he invests in daily. We wish Coach great success and happiness in his next endeavor."
 
A national search to find the next Idaho State cross country head coach will begin immediately.

Any persons interested in applying for the position can also send a resume, coaching philosophy, cover letter and three letters of recommendation to Director of Track and field and Cross Country Hillary Merkley at Hillarymerkley@isu.edu