July 14, 2010

SEASIDE, Calif. – Cal State Monterey Bay Director of Athletics #Vince Otoupal# announced Wednesday that #Greg Rhines# has been hired as the new men's and women's cross country coach. 

"Greg Rhines brings exactly what we need to CSUMB,” Otoupal said. “He is a competitor and made a positive impression with the search committee with his knowledge and commitment to the sport of Men's and Women's Cross Country. He met with members of the team and they were impressed with his background and his vision of what CSUMB Cross Country can be under Greg's direction."

"I am grateful for this opportunity and very excited about coming to CSUMB,” Rhines said. “This is a dream job for me. I want to further (former CSUMB) Coach (Bob) Sevene's progress in establishing Otters' Cross Country in the CCAA as a perennial powerhouse.  The campus and Monterey area are what harriers dream of when talking about the perfect running environment. I look forward to being part of a great Athletic Program at Cal State Monterey Bay. Go Otters!!"

Rhines comes from San Joaquin Delta College where he was the head men's and women's cross country coach for one year.  He guided the woman's team to a Top 15 ranking in the state, and No. 3 in Northern California while his men's squad ran the fastest times since the 2003 season at Delta, one breaking the 22:00 mark.

Prior to his stint at Delta, Rhines served as the head coach at University of the Pacific and the very competitive Big West Conference. During his four season term, Pacific experienced their most successful seasons since cross country's inception at the university 22 years ago. In 2007, the cross country team enjoyed their highest place so far at the prestigious Stanford Invitational, where the best college teams in the country compete. During the 2008 season, the team enjoyed their highest places in meets to date, including a second place team finish.

UOP cross country student-athletes rewrote Pacific's school records in the 5k (18:35) and 6k (22:41). The runners enjoyed Pacific's first ever 'top ten' conference times in the very competitive Big West Conference.

With academics being a priority to Rhines, his four teams at UOP had the highest cumulative team grade point average of all Pacific intercollegiate teams. The student-athletes were awarded Big West Academic All- Conference Awards for the last four seasons.

Prior to coaching at the University of the Pacific, Rhines was the assistant cross country coach for Tokay High School in Lodi, California, where he helped a number of students qualify for the CIF Cross Country State Meet. In addition, he was also the distance coach during the track season for Tokay High School from 1991-1995.

Rhines was the assistant cross country coach and the distance coach during track for Delta College (1997-99) where he helped the men's team reach the CCCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time since the early 1990's.

Rhines earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. He earned his Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, a specialization in Sport Psychology, and a certificate in eating disorder prevention from John F. Kennedy University. 

Rhines has been a private coach and sport psychology consultant in California since 2001.  He has worked individually with all ages of athletes to enhance their form, fitness, and function in many different sports. He also conducts sport psychology consultation sessions with student-athletes to improve their performance in both academics and sport.

"I am excited that Coach Rhines has chosen to be a part of the CSUMB Athletics Team,” Otoupal said. “Coach Rhines understands what we are doing here as a university and understands that we are building champions in the classroom and in the sport of Cross Country. I want to welcome Coach Rhines and will look forward to the continued success of the CSUMB Cross Country Team under his guidance and mentorship."