Former Rutgers Distance Coach Honored at USATF Championships
Jul 23 | Track & Field
Men’s 800-meter race will bear name of longtime assistant coach Frank Gagliano
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers assistant distance coach Frank Gagliano will be recognized at the 2026 USATF Outdoor Championships on Friday, July 24 at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island in New York as the men's 800-meter race will be named in honor.
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 – Brian Grimes, Walt Kirkland, Stan Belin and Jim Westman – in the 4x800 relay in 1981.
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.
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.
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 – Brian Grimes, Walt Kirkland, Stan Belin and Jim Westman – in the 4x800 relay in 1981.
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.
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.
Monday, March 02
Monday, March 02
Monday, March 02
Wednesday, December 17
