POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State Athletics is proud to introduce Brian Janssen as a member of the 2026 Idaho State Athletics Hall of Fame class. Janssen spent three decades as a cornerstone of the Bengal Track and Field and Cross Country programs, building a legacy of sustained excellence that places him among the most accomplished coaches in ISU and Big Sky Conference history.
Janssen's path to Pocatello began in 1976 as a graduate assistant at Western State College in Colorado, where he helped guide the Mountaineers to their first-ever national championship appearance. After several years coaching high school athletics in Denver, he returned to the college level as head coach at Metropolitan State College, where his program produced nine NAIA All-Americans in four years. Athletes from that era still hold 14 school records more than 40 years later. Seeking to advance his career, Janssen enrolled at the University of Kansas, earning a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Sport Psychology. It was there that a chance phone call between coaches led then-ISU head coach Dave Nielson to Janssen, bringing him to Pocatello in 1985.
Over the next 30 years at Idaho State, Janssen built the Bengal distance program into one of consistent conference and national distinction. He worked directly with athletes who qualified for the NCAA Championships 24 times and earned All-American honors on seven occasions. His athletes accumulated 79 individual Big Sky Conference titles and more than 240 individual All-Conference honors, a body of work that reflects both the depth and durability of the program he helped construct. He earned Big Sky Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year honors in 2004. Among his many rewarding experiences, Janssen contributed to the psychological preparation of ISU Olympians Amber Welty and gold medalist pole vaulter Stacy Dragila, two of the most decorated athletes in program history.
Janssen's influence extended beyond the conference level and beyond the boundaries of his own program. He was one of the originators of the First Security Games, playing a meaningful role in expanding athletic opportunity across the state of Idaho. His personal accomplishments as a competitor, including national masters running titles, reflected a lifelong commitment to the sport that carried directly into his coaching philosophy.
Now 41 years removed from his arrival in Pocatello, Janssen still calls the city home. He and his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth, continue to live in the same house where they raised their three children, Nicole, Kyle, and Derek. His closest friendships remain with former athletes and coaches from Idaho State, a fitting reflection of the bonds his career helped forge.
Senior Associate Athletic Director Crew Keller had this to say on the inductee:
"Coach Janssen's remarkable career and lasting contributions to ISU Track and Field and Cross Country represent a legacy of excellence, dedication, and profound impact on Bengal Athletics. He coached seven NCAA Division I All-Americans and guided 13 athletes to top-10 national rankings. His mentorship produced an extraordinary 66 conference champions and 244 All-Conference honorees, reflecting both the depth and consistency of excellence within his program. One of the defining qualities of Coach Janssen's career is his ability to develop student-athletes to reach their full potential. Brian Janssen's career reflects not only impressive statistics and accolades, but also a lasting impact on Idaho State University and the many student-athletes he mentored. His leadership helped build a tradition of excellence within ISU Track and Field and Cross Country that continues to shape the program today."
Senior Associate Athletic Director Crew Keller
