Nathan Garcia begins his first season as the UC San Diego men’s and women’s cross country head coach in 2007. He elevated to the top spot within the program on July 31 after the resignation of former head coach Ted Van Arsdale who directed both squads for 15 years prior to his retirement.

“I am excited and honored to be named the head coach at my alma mater,” said Garcia. “I feel privileged to have spent the last 10 years running for and working with Coach Van Arsdale. I am looking forward to continuing the great tradition of excellence he helped to establish here at UC San Diego.”

Garcia earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from UCSD in 2000, graduating cum laude. He then completed a multi-subject professional clear CLAD credential at UCSD in 2001. Since then, Garcia has been a teacher at Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist Church and a volunteer assistant with the Triton cross country and track and field squads.

Garcia was a four-year athlete in both track and cross country while attending UCSD from 1996 to 2000. During his time as a Triton, he earned numerous athletic and academic honors, including being named Verizon All-Academic District VIII and CCAA Scholar-Athlete honors in 2000-01. He was also honored by UCSD on National Student-Athlete Day that same year.