Oct 27 | Cross Country, Track & Field
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ā Rutgers track & field and cross country mourn the loss of legendary coach Frank "Gags" Gagliano who passed away at the age of 89. Gagliano was a distance coach for the Scarlet Knights from 1974 through 1983.
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At the 2026 Outdoor Championships, the USATF named the men's 800-meter race in honor of Gagliano, memorializing his legacy in the sport for years to come.
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Gagliano served as an assistant coach under former head coach Les Wallack from 1974 through 1982 before spending his first season as a head coach in 1983. During his tenure, Gagliano coached several prominent Scarlet Knights, including school record holders Mike Roche who qualified for Olympic Trials in the steeplechase and the program's first four-minute miler in Ron Spiers. He also mentored NCAA Champions ā Brian Grimes, Walt Kirkland, Stan Belin and Jim Westman ā in the 4x800 relay in 1981.
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Gagliano began his coaching career leading the track and field program at Roselle Catholic High School where he spent nine years from 1960 to 1969. He then joined the staff at Manhattan College in 1969, eventually winning the 1973 NCAA Indoor Championships.
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Gagliano went on to have a legendary career at Georgetown from 1983 through 1999. He guided the Hoyas to 23 Big East team championships and 10 IC4A team titles.
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At the 2026 Outdoor Championships, the USATF named the men's 800-meter race in honor of Gagliano, memorializing his legacy in the sport for years to come.
Ā
Gagliano served as an assistant coach under former head coach Les Wallack from 1974 through 1982 before spending his first season as a head coach in 1983. During his tenure, Gagliano coached several prominent Scarlet Knights, including school record holders Mike Roche who qualified for Olympic Trials in the steeplechase and the program's first four-minute miler in Ron Spiers. He also mentored NCAA Champions ā Brian Grimes, Walt Kirkland, Stan Belin and Jim Westman ā in the 4x800 relay in 1981.
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Gagliano began his coaching career leading the track and field program at Roselle Catholic High School where he spent nine years from 1960 to 1969. He then joined the staff at Manhattan College in 1969, eventually winning the 1973 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Ā
Gagliano went on to have a legendary career at Georgetown from 1983 through 1999. He guided the Hoyas to 23 Big East team championships and 10 IC4A team titles.
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