Maag stepping down, Krout taking over UF track program

The University of Findlay on Monday announced a major shift in its track and field program, with current head coach Blaine Maag stepping aside and assistant Jared Krout named as his replacement.Maag, who will be shifting gears to pursue a career in civil service, coached athletes to seven national championships and 24 all-American placings during his five-year stint at UF, the last four as the Oilers head coach. Under Maag, UF's men's indoor program was ranked fourth among NCAA Division II schools in 2019; the women's indoor program was ranked sixth in 2018.Maag, who also coached seven national champions as an assistant at Grand Valley State, was three times named Great Midwest athletic Conference Coach of the Year. In 2016, he was also tabbed Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)."I will be embarking on a new journey and a new career, one that will continue to fuel the fire of giving back and doing what's right," Maag said in a statement posted on UF's website."I will be challenged both mentally and physically, all while giving back to the community that has given me so much. I am eager to get started but am incredibly sad to say goodbye to the Oiler family."A prep standout at Columbus Grove, Maag was a star running back on the Bulldogs' 2003 state championship football team. In the Division VI final, Maag carried 40 times for 287 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 28-26 win over Marion Local.Maag was also a state champion in track, winning the Division III discus title in 2003."I will forever be grateful for my time in coaching. It has brought me lots of victories and plenty of losses," Maag said."What I am most proud of is the family I have been able to form through coaching. I will miss the interactions with administration and my fellow coaching colleagues and will miss the bonds I've created with the incredible athletes."In the university release, Director of Athletics Brandi Laurita said, "The accomplishments and accolades came in droves under Blaine's guidance and each of those honors demonstrates his ability as a coach, but more than that, he is a first class person who has the respect of his colleagues and athletes. The fact that, despite all his success in athletics, Blaine has decided to step down in pursuit of the public good speaks volumes about his character and we wish him success and safety as he moves on to the next chapter in his life."Krout brings an impressive resume of his own to the position. After an outstanding prep career at Arlington, Krout attend Hillsdale College where he was a six-time all-American. Krout won 10 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) titles and was the regional Athlete of the Year in both 2007 and 2008."It means a lot to me to step in this role and become the next head coach at Findlay," Krout commented. "I attended my first track camp here as a kid in 1998, so I am very grateful to see it all come full circle and now to have the opportunity to lead the program. Ever since I took a position as an assistant here four years ago, I have believed in what this program is capable of accomplishing. We have an incredible group of student-athletes and a coaching staff that are all committed to pushing our program forward. I am excited to build on the recent successes we have had and to continue the great tradition of track and field at Findlay."Krout who has worked with UF's sprinters and hurdlers, is entering his fifth year with the program. During that time he has coached five all-American sprinters and has seen 21 of his athletes earn conference titles.Monday's release said a search will begin immediately for an assistant coach that will oversee the team's throwers.