Stephen Picucci, who mentored 32 All-Americans in six seasons at Ferris State (Mich.), has been named the head cross country/track and field coach at Morehead State.
The Division II Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 2012, Picucci directed the FSU programs to 11 top-25 and three top-10 national finishes.
"The Morehead State cross country and track programs have a history of success that will continue to develop as we work to maximize the strengths of our student-athletes," Picucci said. "I am excited to be a part of the Morehead State family and look forward to working with the great staff and student-athletes."
Picucci served as his alma mater's interim head coach for one season before being elevated to full-time head coach in 2009-10. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Ferris State in 2007-08.
"After completing a national search and narrowing down a tremendous pool of applicants, Stephen rose to the top," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Richard Fletcher, who led the search committee. "With his background of student-athlete and program development, it became apparent he was the right choice. We are encouraged by the recent progress of the cross country program, and with this hire, we believe we will continue that course and battle for conference championships."
Under Picucci's tutelage, Ferris State garnered 114 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) honors in track and field. He coached 18 All-Midwest Region athletes and helped guide three to regional titles in track and field. Three cross country athletes also won conference championships.
Picucci led the women's cross country program to five consecutive NCAA Championship appearances and men to two berths in the championship, the latter the program's first since 1985.
Picucci was the first four-year letterwinner in cross country and track and field at FSU since the program was re-instated in 1999-2000. He was a three-time team Most Valuable Runner. Picucci earned 11 GLIAC All-Academic awards in his career and was named all-conference in cross country in 2002. He was FSU's top finisher in 20 of 29 races.
On the track, Picucci recorded nine top-eight finishes as a senior in 2003.
He was named College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) First-Team Academic All-District in 2003 and also earned a Division II Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team accolade in 2001.
The Brighton, Mich., native earned his bachelor's degree in automotive engineering technology from Ferris State in 2003. He is a member of the United States Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association.
