BILLINGS, Mont.- Head Cross Country Coach Jackson Duffey announces his departure from the program following two seasons as head coach for the Battlin' Bears. 

Duffey departs the program to pursue a new family opportunity. 

"I want to thank Coach Duffey for his commitment and leadership of our Cross Country and distance program," Athletic Director Jim Klemann said. "Coach Duffey is a tremendous servant leader, and we will miss his impact on the program. I wish Jackson and his new wife, Josie, all the best in their new opportunity."

A Rocky Mountain College alum, Duffey began as an assistant cross country and track and field coach in 2022-23, and eventually took over for long-time coach Mike McLean during the fall of 2023 in an interim role, leading the Battlin' Bears to At-Large births to the 2023 NAIA Cross Country National Championships, where he coached Jackson Wilson to an individual national title and an 18th place finish for the Rocky men. 

After officially becoming the head coach ahead of the 2024 season, Coach Duffey was named Co-Coach of the Year in the Frontier Conference, after the Rocky men finished runner-up by a single point, eventually earning an At-Large bid to the NAIA National Championships, where they placed 24th overall. 

A national search for the next head coach for the Battlin' Bear Cross Country program will begin immediately.