Southeast hires new track coach

Eric Crumpecker wants to follow in Joey Haines' footsteps, and in more ways than one.

Crumpecker, Haines' longtime assistant, was named to succeed Haines as Southeast Missouri State's head track and field coach Wednesday.

Not only does Crumpecker hope to duplicate Haines' success, he'd love to remain in his post for as long as his boss did.

"I have no plans on ever leaving," Crumpecker said. "Hopefully I can make it where they [the Southeast administration] want to keep me here the rest of my career.

"I hope to retire here."

Crumpecker, 39, has been a Southeast assistant coach for the past 17 years. He will take over the program Aug. 1, which is when Haines officially retires.

Haines, Southeast's coach the past 26 years, announced his intention to retire earlier this year.

Haines led Southeast to 21 Ohio Valley Conference titles — 15 by the women and six by the men, including the outdoor men's crown earlier this month — since the program moved up to Division I in 1992.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity," Crumpecker said. "I can't believe I've been here 17 years, and to get the opportunity to take over the program ... I'm grateful.

"I can't say enough about coach Haines giving me the chance 17 years ago. He set the bar pretty high for the program. Those are big shoes to fill. Hopefully I can live up to it."

Haines has no doubt that Crumpecker, who was selected after a national search that included four finalists, will maintain the program's success.

"I'm really happy for Eric, and I'm also happy for the program," Haines said. "It kind of validates what we've been doing, the way we've been doing things, that the administrators liked what we've been doing.

"Eric has been doing a great job and he's been a big part of what we've done. He's been with us since we've been Division I. He's certainly paid his dues. He's been loyal to the program, the university. I'm just tickled for him and he'll keep the program going. I'm excited about the future of the program."

Crumpecker, a native of Union, Mo., was a two-sport athlete at the University of Missouri-Rolla. He started as a lineman on the football team and earned all-conference honors in the shot put and discus for the track squad.

Crumpecker came to Southeast after graduating from Missouri-Rolla. He was a volunteer assistant for two years, a graduate assistant for two years and a part-time assistant for two years before finally becoming a full-time assistant.

During his tenure under Haines, Crumpecker primarily worked with the field athletes, but he emphasized that Haines taught him about every aspect involving the program.

"I've learned a great deal and I've been fortunate to be involved in all aspects of the track program," Crumpecker said. "I'm taking over a program that has a great championship tradition and I just need to keep it going in the right direction."

Crumpecker said he has had opportunities in recent years to join bigger programs but "it just never felt right. I love the community here."

Crumpecker, who resides in Jackson with his wife, Amy, said he appreciates the faith the Southeast administration has shown in him.

"I'm very grateful they think I can do the job," Crumpecker said.

Although Crumpecker will not officially be in charge of Southeast track and field for a couple more months, he's ready to start shaping the future of the program immediately.

"Recruiting is my top priority right now," he said.