Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg and Director of Athletics Jon Waters are excited to announce the hiring of Mario Wilson as the new Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. Wilson, previously the associate head coach of track & field and cross country at the University of Virginia (UVA), brings over two decades of collegiate coaching experience, including more than 20 years at the NCAA Division I level, and a decorated resume that includes 24 conference championship teams and multiple national accolades.

"Coach Wilson brings a championship-level experience in working with student athletes and bringing out the best of them both in and outside of competition," said Director of Athletics Jon Waters. "His passion for student success and desire to help them seek excellence in all areas of their lives makes him the perfect person to lead our historic program forward."

During his time on the UVA coaching staff, he spent 13 seasons mentoring jumpers, sprinters, and multi-event athletes. A two-time USTFCCCA Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year (2010, 2020), Wilson helped guide the 2024 men's outdoor track & field team to its first ACC Championship in program history and the 2025 women's outdoor track & field team to its first ACC Championship since 1987.

"I'd like to thank Athletic Director Jon Waters and President Allison Morrison-Shetlar for giving me this opportunity to be the next Director of Track & Field and Cross Country and the prestigious University of Lynchburg," said coach Wilson. "This process has been very positive and is such an exciting opportunity. During the interview process, being able to meet most of the head coaches at the university really helped to solidify my decision. I got the feeling that the community was a true family and I look forward to a leadership opportunity after coaching for 26 years as an assistant."

At UVA, Wilson's athletes consistently shined on the national stage. This past season, Celia Rifaterra became the outdoor ACC Champion in the high jump and claimed a First Team All-American nod following a seventh place finish in the NCAA Outdoor Championship. Additionally, Carly Tarentino finished in 19th place in her NCAA Outdoor Championship debut to earn an All-American honorable mention in her rookie season. His athletes captured medals at both ACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships and shined on the national stage at the NCAA Championships.

"I've been looking forward to having this appointment and I think nothing could be more perfect than working at an institution like the University of Lynchburg, where it is a close community with successful cross country and track & field programs," added coach Wilson. "Being able to follow someone like Jim Sprecher, who I've looked up to and had as a mentor for the past 20 years, is a full circle moment and helped me make this decision. I'm eager to meet the student-athletes on the current roster and forge the path forward in helping this team maintain its current level of dominance within the ODAC and continuing to get closer to the ultimate goal of a team championship in the cross country and track & field seasons."

Wilson has coached NCAA national champions, school record holders, and professional-caliber athletes. His work with Jordan Scott culminated in the first national title by a male ACC competitor in the indoor triple jump title in 2019. Under Wilson's guidance, Cavalier athletes regularly reached the NCAA Championships and rewrote program record books.

"I'm extremely appreciative of the 13 years that I've gotten to spend at the University of Virginia working for Coach Vin Lananna and Athletic Director Carla Williams. All of the numerous student-athletes that have come through during my time at UVA, I'll always cherish the moments and memories, and look back fondly on this period of time in my career."

Prior to Virginia, Wilson held coaching roles at Clemson, New Mexico, Bucknell, and St. Francis (Pa.), collecting accolades at each stop. At Clemson, he helped the Tigers to six ACC team titles and mentored NCAA champion Miller Moss in the heptathlon. Wilson began his coaching career at St. Francis, where his teams won seven Northeast Conference championships.

Wilson earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from Marist, where he was a four-year starter on the football team and named the 1998 Sportsman of the Year. He later completed a master's in education from St. Francis.

Wilson is set to begin his duties immediately as he prepares to lead the Hornets and continue to uphold the standard of competitive success.

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