UCLA track and field coach Avery Anderson announces retirement

The Bruins won five men's individual Pac-12 titles and seven women's Pac-12 event titles since Anderson took over in 2017

UCLA Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Avery Anderson announced his retirement from coaching Wednesday, according to a statement from UCLA Athletics.

“I love this university, and I’ve been honored to lead these talented young men and women here in Westwood,” Anderson said in the statement. “I have been extremely blessed to have this chapter in my life, but I’ve chosen to retire from coaching.

“I’ve poured my heart and soul into UCLA’s track and field and cross country programs, and I would sincerely like to thank all of our hard-working student-athletes for their trust in me. I’ll always be a Bruin, and I’m forever grateful for my time here.”

Anderson, a UCLA alumnus, took over as Director of Track and Field in 2017 and has since led the Bruins to five men’s Pac-12 individual titles and seven women’s Pac-12 event titles. He was named the conference’s men’s track and field coach of the year in 2019.

He showed compassion and openness when he penned an open letter to his team in 2020 in the wake of America’s struggle with racial injustice.

“I want change because I love my fellow humans,” Anderson said in the letter. “It’s because I love my fellow humans that I take action on racial inequality, gender equality, gun violence, homelessness and so on. Because I love you I don’t want to see anyone senselessly killed by the police for no good reason. So the starting point on my road map to make change starts with Love.”

Anderson’s coaching career also included stops at Cal State Northridge and Kansas State after a college career as a dual-sport athlete at UCLA. He helped the football team win a Pac-10 title as a wide receiver and played in the 1994 Rose Bowl while winning four Pac-12 championships as a member of the 4×100 relay team.