Sam Burroughs - Cross Country Coach - Xavier University Athletics

Sam Burroughs

Title:
Head Coach
Email:
burroughss@xavier.edu
Phone:
513.745.2849

Xavier Vice President for Administration and Director of Athletics Greg Christopher announced the hiring of Sam Burroughs as the Musketeers new Head Coach for Cross Country and Track and Field on Jan. 4, 2021.

During his time at Xavier, he has coached student-athletes to 93 top-10 finishes in the Xavier cross country and track and field record books - including nine school-record performances. He has also coached three runners who participated in the NCAA Track and Field East Regionals.

Burroughs has over 24 years of collegiate experience. He has coached 96 individual conference champions and 48 individual NCAA qualifiers, while leading 18 teams to conference championship titles.

Burroughs joined the Musketeers after previously working as associate head coach at Cincinnati from 2013-20. He guided the men’s cross country team to six top-five finishes at the AAC Cross Country Championships, including two runner-up finishes. Burroughs also assisted in helping the women’s cross country team place fifth at the conference championships in 2019 – the team’s highest finish since joining the conference in 2013.

Burroughs helped the Bearcats set seven school records and coached four NCAA individual qualifiers. Academically, the men’s and women’s cross country programs combined to post perfect APR scores five times.

Prior to Cincinnati, Burroughs was the head cross country coach at North Texas (2010-13). He coached three conference ‘athletes of the year’ and helped two student-athletes win multiple individual conference titles in track and field. Burroughs also helped his team establish seven new school records in track and field.

From 2008-10, Burroughs was the head cross country coach at Abilene Christian – helping the program capture back-to-back conference titles in men’s cross country. He guided the men’s team to a fourth-place finish at the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Burroughs also coached 16 student-athletes at Abilene Christian who qualified for the NCAA Track and Field Championships, including two-time national champion Amos Sang.

Burroughs resume also includes assistant coaching stops at Iona College (2004-08), Manhattan College (2003-04), Boston University (2002-03) and Buffalo (2000-02).

The Troy, N.Y., native holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Buffalo (2000) and a master’s degree in exercise physiology from Buffalo (2002).

COACHING TIMELINE

Xavier – Head Coach – 2021-present
Cincinnati – Associate Head Coach – 2013-20
North Texas – Head Cross Country Coach – 2010-13
Abilene Christian – Head Cross Country Coach – 2008-10
Iona College – Assistant Coach – 2004-08
Manhattan College – Assistant Coach – 2003-04
Boston University – Volunteer Assistant Coach – 2002-03
Buffalo – Graduate Assistant Coach – 2000-02

PERSONAL PROFILE

Education: University of Buffalo (BS, ’00); University of Buffalo (MS, ’02)
Hometown: Troy, N.Y.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Greg Christopher, Vice President for Administration, Director of Athletics
“I am excited to welcome Sam Burroughs to the Xavier Family as our new Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach. Out of the 140 candidates, Sam’s extensive resume stood out with 20 years of experience as a head coach, associate head coach and an assistant at a wide range of institutions. His emphasis on student-athlete success in every area of their Xavier experience aligns with our mission. He has the qualities to be the CEO of our Cross Country and Track and Field programs at a very exciting time, including the upcoming opening of the Heidt Family Champions Center.”

Tom Eiser, Associate Athletic Director for Communications (XC/TF Sport Liaison)
“We conducted an extensive national search and had a deep and talented pool of candidates. Sam’s impressive resume speaks for itself but this choice went beyond a resume. Sam stood out during this extended search as someone who passionately wants to make a positive difference on the program and most importantly on our student-athletes. I am excited for the student-athletes in our programs now and for the future.”

Susan Seaton, Cincinnati Director of Men's and Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
"Sam Burroughs is a very experienced coach who knows how to work extremely hard. With his great attention to detail, he is a dedicated recruiter and very diligent about getting the job done. I appreciate Sam's numerous contributions to our team and wish him well as the head coach of the Xavier University program."

Tyler Ross, former Cincinnati Cross Country/Track and Field Standout
"First, congrats to Coach Burroughs. He deserves it. You guys got a good one here! He puts in the hard work it takes to succeed and he truly loves this sport. He has been recruiting top tier talent to Cincinnati for years and the ones who aren't top recruits he knows how to develop into champions. As sad as I am to see him leave UC, I am very happy for him, at the very least this heats up an already great rivalry between the two universities!"