Adding unparalleled leadership and experience to the squad.

Ryun Godfrey has been named Nebraska’s new head cross country coach and assistant coach for the track and field program. pic.twitter.com/INsWvcY9he

— Nebraska Track & Field/Cross Country (@HuskerTFXC) June 30, 2023

Someone asked me if I was having a midlife crisis.

After taking some time to consider if I actually was, I kind of just chucked. It wasn’t a midlife crisis.

It was a leap of faith.

Once I resigned from my position at Arizona State, Coach St. Clair invited me to Lincoln to become a volunteer assistant coach for the track and field team at Nebraska.

At the time, the NCAA had a limitation of six coaches. 

While I loved every second of being a volunteer, I knew it was likely a temporary position until I decided what I wanted to do next. That’s why when St. Clair asked me to become the head coach for NU cross country toward the end of the season, I didn’t need too much time to consider.

Nothing excites me more than leading a group of young athletes to believe in themselves and accomplish their goals through the course of the season and the forthcoming years.

I was beyond grateful to continue my head coaching career in Lincoln. 

Guiding influences

When I was a college athlete, that was a dream come true for me. 

I ran track for North Dakota State, and while I wasn't a superstar by any stretch of the imagination, my coach, Don Larson, appreciated the effort I put into my training and treated me just like everyone else on the team.

That left an indelible impression on me. 

Coach Larson saw the value I brought to the team. That's when I really started to lean into my leadership qualities and began considering a career in coaching once I graduated.

In addition to Coach Larson, I also sought advice from Coach Jerry Gores, who was the women’s cross country and track and field coach, and who I would ultimately succeed as head coach in my first head coaching position. 

They were both incredibly encouraging and went above and beyond in guiding me and becoming invaluable mentors in my life.

My dad was another great resource and by far my biggest influence.

Being a coach his entire life, he wasn’t going to steer me down the wrong path if he didn’t think I’d enjoy it and be successful at it, so his support meant the world to me. 

As I got into the profession, many of my habits and views on coaching have come from my dad, so his influence has been instrumental to my career.

No matter what it is you pursue, that path becomes much easier when you have a great support system and have people who believe in you. I was blessed to have that backing at a young age from my dad, and he played a significant role in shaping my future as a coach.

Setting new challenges

Almost all of us coaches were athletes at some point in our lives, so we still have that same mindset — we're always looking to challenge ourselves and improve.

After becoming a head coach at an unexpectedly young age and enjoying 17 years total at NDSU as a coach, I began to question what was next for me in my coaching career. 

I had always aimed to be a head coach at a Power Five university, and the opportunity presented itself when I accepted a position to be the assistant track and field coach at Kansas State. I would also lead the cross country team.

I spent eight spectacular seasons at KSU before my journey would take me to Arizona State. While it was a great opportunity to be the head coach for cross country and assist on the track and field team, I soon discovered it wasn’t the best fit,

I was contemplating the future of my career when St. Clair called me up and asked me to be a volunteer at NU. While I’ve never shied away from the pressures of being a head coach, this gave me time to decide what I wanted to do next.

When we were at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, that’s when I learned about the head coaching opportunity, which I graciously accepted.

Unlocking their potential

My primary goal is to get to know the athletes and build strong, meaningful relationships with them. I believe that understanding each athlete on a personal level is essential for their development and success. This allows me to tailor their training and help them achieve their full potential.

While I have goals for the team, such as being a top contender in the conference and region, my focus is on the process. 

I believe in teaching athletes how to manage their lives effectively, both in training and recovery.

It's about instilling discipline and helping them understand the importance of rest and nutrition. 

There's also a range of talent on the team, too, so some athletes can handle higher loads than others, and it's all about managing that workload and stress on their bodies.

It's a fascinating dynamic, and it's been a joy and a privilege for me to work with these young athletes in my early tenure to help establish the endurance, training, and recovery that is required to succeed in this sport. 

Why I keep coming back

This is year 27 for me, and as much as I love cross country and track and field, it's not why I continue to coach. 

It's the athletes that keep me coming back.

I remember I went to an alumni function years ago, and I got to see the athletes I recruited come back to the program seven or eight years after they graduated. To see them with their families and everything they've accomplished in their lives just put a huge smile on my face.

To hear them reminisce about their experiences and how much they enjoyed their time as student-athletes reminded me how much of an impact we can have on these kids.

I'm not perfect, and no coach is, but continuing to be a positive influence in young people's lives is what drives me more than anything. I'm always looking for ways to improve as a coach and establish a connection with my athletes.

I have the same mentality for the athletes I'm currently coaching at NU. 

I am committed to creating a supportive and empowering environment for these kids and watching them thrive inside and outside of the sport.

As a coach, you never really know where your journey or career will take you, but I do know that I aspire to be a director again one day. It’s a profession that I hold near and dear to my heart and wish to continue to do so for as long as I can.

I remain thankful to the city of Lincoln, this university, my athletes, and the leadership of St. Clair as I continue to follow in the footsteps of my dad, who inspired and guided me on this path all those years ago.