Burrell departs Auburn to become Texas A&M track and field coach
AUBURN — Auburn is in the market for a new track and field coach.
Leroy Burrell has accepted the head coaching position at Texas A&M, ending a four-year tenure on the Plains in which he elevated the Tigers into one of the nation's premier programs.
Burrell leaves Auburn after leading the Tigers to unprecedented success. During his tenure, Auburn recorded four top-five NCAA Championship finishes, including a runner-up finish at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Tigers also finished third at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships, fourth at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships and fourth at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships.
This past season was among the best in program history.
Auburn captured four individual NCAA championships in 2026, highlighted by Ja'Kobe Tharp's NCAA and world-record performance in the 110-meter hurdles. Kanyinsola Ajayi won the NCAA title in the 100 meters, while the Tigers produced 31 All-America honors and six SEC individual championships.
Burrell arrived at Auburn in June 2022 after spending 23 seasons as Houston's head coach. An Olympic gold medalist and former world-record holder in the 100 meters, Burrell brought instant credibility to the program and quickly established Auburn as a national contender.
Before arriving on the Plains, Burrell led Houston to multiple conference championships while developing numerous NCAA champions, All-Americans and Olympians.
At Texas A&M, Burrell replaces longtime coach Pat Henry, who retired following one of the most successful coaching careers in collegiate track and field. Henry led the Aggies to 10 NCAA team championships during his 22 seasons in College Station.
"We are excited to welcome Leroy and his family to Aggieland," Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts said in a statement. "He is an outstanding leader that has achieved championship-level success everywhere he has been. He has developed elite athletes that have won on both the national and international stages."
Burrell inherits one of the SEC's flagship track and field programs, while Auburn athletic director John Cohen now begins the search for a successor to continue the momentum Burrell built during his four seasons with the Tigers.
