University of Windsor's champion track and field team lands head coach

One of the country's top university track and field programs has landed a new head coach after the University of Windsor squad went leaderless for the past year. 

The school's athletics department announced this week that Colin Inglis will take over the team, which won 25 men's and women's national championships under renowned coach Dennis Fairall.

• University of Windsor track program without a head coach
• Lancers new head coach decides not to take the job

Inglis is a familiar face with the Lancer track and field program. He served as associate head coach between 1995 and 1999. For the past 17 years, he has been the leader of track and field at York University in Toronto. 

"I am excited to meet and begin working with everyone connected with the team to continue the success of the program," Inglis said of his return to Windsor. "The history and success of the program under the leadership of Dennis Fairall are second to none." 

Accolades of his own

Inglis has been named Ontario University Athletics coach of the year four times for men's and women's track and field. He's also been named coach of the year for Canadian Interuniversity Sport. 

Inglis has coached 192 provincial all-star players and 94 all-Canadian players throughout his career.

"He's led York to a high level of success," said Mike Havey, University of Windsor's athletic director. "I think it's a great fit. I think it will be a great way for us to move the program forward."

Inglis will work alongside Lancer cross country head coach Gary Malloy.

The Lancers squad has taken a bit of a hit after Fairall's departure, particularly without finding a successor for the past year, Havey explained.

Big cleats to fill

Fairall coached the Lancers for 29 years and left the team after being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a serious brain disorder that causes issues with walking and balance. 

The program has continued under a joint-leadership team of Kevin DiNardo, Brett Lumley and Richard Johnston, but without having a head coach in place, some students likely considered heading to other schools, Havey told CBC News. 

"There's been some negative impact to the program, but I think we'll get passed that," he said.

Part of the challenge filling the position stems for Fairall's impeccable success. Just thinking about coming in to replace such a coach is daunting, Havey explained. 

"We don't think about it as we're replacing a legend," he said. "This person now has a chance to put their own stamp on the program and continue the legacy that was started by Dennis Fairall."