Northern Illinois University head women's cross country / track and field coach Connie Teaberry announced on Thursday (August 17) that she has hired former Concordia (MN) University head men's and women's track and field coach Mark McConeghey as an assistant cross country and track and field coach.

"Coach McConeghey is coming to Northern Illinois with great experience," Teaberry said. "His 22 years of coaching will bring wisdom, respect and results to our program. I am excited about working with him and honored that he accepted our invitation to be a Huskie."

McConeghey replaces Gretchen Folck who left to take a teaching position at Wredling Middle School in St. Charles, Ill.

"I wanted to get back into coaching," McConeghey said. "Division I was certainly appealing, and I jumped at the opportunity when the position opened at Northern Illinois. It appeared to be a challenge and I don't shy away from challenges.

"I look forward to helping turning the cross country and track and field programs into consistent conference contenders."

During his time in St. Paul, McConeghey's track and field squads broke 99 school-records and had 42 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference champions from 1999-2005. McConeghey has extensive Division I experience as well, spending seven years (1986-93) in Ames, IA under Iowa State's legendary cross country / track and field coach Bill Bergan, including the Cyclones' run to the 1989 National Women's Cross Country Championship.