PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland State Athletics will not renew the contract of head cross country and track & field coach David Hepburn. The announcement was made today by Director of Athletics John Johnson.
 
"We thank coach Hepburn for his years at Portland State, but we feel this was the best path forward for our cross country and track & field programs. We wish David the best in his future endeavors," Johnson said.
 
Hepburn had served as head coach of both the cross country and track & field programs for the past six seasons, while he was an assistant coach for two years before that. The cross country program in particular reached new heights within the Big Sky Conference in recent years with the men and women both setting program-best finishes at the conference meet. The men set their highest finish ever with a third-place finish this past fall, while the women placed third in 2021.
 
Additionally, the men's cross country team set a program-best finish at the NCAA West Regional under Hepburn in 2021, placing eighth out of 29 teams. The women tied their best finish ever that same season, placing 11th out of 35 teams.
 
However, the program dealt with eligibility issues this year when Jordan MacIntosh was not allowed to compete in the NCAA postseason despite being ranked eighth in the west region in the steeplechase. The ban came as a result of the Portland State men's team failing to have at least 14 athletes compete at eight meets over the indoor and outdoor track & field seasons, an NCAA requirement for all programs.
 
The athletic department will begin a nationwide search for the next leader of the Portland State cross country and track & field programs.