University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Chris Miltenberg Signs Contract Extension
April 9, 2026 | Cross Country, Track & Field
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina director of track & field and cross country Chris Miltenberg, who has led UNC to top-five finishes in USTFCCCA Program-of-the-Year rankings each of the past two seasons, has agreed to terms on a contract extension that will keep him in Chapel Hill through the 2030-31 season. The terms were approved by UNC's Board of Trustees in March.
"It has been terrific to watch our track & field and cross country programs continue to succeed under Chris' leadership," director of athletics Bubba Cunningham said. "Three individual national titles over the last three years is outstanding, but even more impressive is the way he emphasizes academics, service, dedication and sportsmanship every day. We are happy that he will continue guiding the program for years to come."
"Chris' passion for coaching and ability to bring out the best in everyone around him is evident in the way he leads his program with integrity, interacts with fellow UNC coaches with respect and represents Carolina with pride," executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark said. "He has fostered an incredible culture of winning both on and off the track, and there's no one we would rather have leading our track & field and cross country teams. We look forward to watching his program continue to thrive."
Miltenberg, the ACCÂ Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2023 and ACC Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2024, has led the Tar Heels to three consecutive top-10 finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships (2022, 2023, 2024) and back-to-back top-10 finishes at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships (2024 and 2025).
Under Miltenberg's leadership, Carolina has produced three individual national champions (Parker Wolfe, 5000m in 2024; Ethan Strand, 3000m in 2025; Makayla Paige, 800m in 2025), set multiple NCAA records, and won both the Atlantic Coast Conference Cross Country Championship (2023) and the ACC Indoor Track and Field Championship (2024).
"I'm so grateful to Bubba Cunningham, Steve Newmark and the Board of Trustees for having this long term belief in me and the vision for our program," Miltenberg said. "There is nowhere in the world I'd rather be than at Carolina. It has been an incredible first seven years with great achievements and I believe there is still so much for us to do as we continue to climb the mountain! Absolutely no where I'd rather be!"
Miltenberg has also aided in academic excellence within his program. The Carolina women's cross country team earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors following the 2025 season, earning a 3.35 team GPA. Logan St. John-Kletter, Vera Sjoberg, Colton Sands, Tomer Tarragano, Maddie Gardiner and Aiden Neal all earned individual academic accolades this past semester.
"It has been terrific to watch our track & field and cross country programs continue to succeed under Chris' leadership," director of athletics Bubba Cunningham said. "Three individual national titles over the last three years is outstanding, but even more impressive is the way he emphasizes academics, service, dedication and sportsmanship every day. We are happy that he will continue guiding the program for years to come."
"Chris' passion for coaching and ability to bring out the best in everyone around him is evident in the way he leads his program with integrity, interacts with fellow UNC coaches with respect and represents Carolina with pride," executive associate athletic director Steve Newmark said. "He has fostered an incredible culture of winning both on and off the track, and there's no one we would rather have leading our track & field and cross country teams. We look forward to watching his program continue to thrive."
Miltenberg, the ACCÂ Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2023 and ACC Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year in 2024, has led the Tar Heels to three consecutive top-10 finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships (2022, 2023, 2024) and back-to-back top-10 finishes at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships (2024 and 2025).
Under Miltenberg's leadership, Carolina has produced three individual national champions (Parker Wolfe, 5000m in 2024; Ethan Strand, 3000m in 2025; Makayla Paige, 800m in 2025), set multiple NCAA records, and won both the Atlantic Coast Conference Cross Country Championship (2023) and the ACC Indoor Track and Field Championship (2024).
"I'm so grateful to Bubba Cunningham, Steve Newmark and the Board of Trustees for having this long term belief in me and the vision for our program," Miltenberg said. "There is nowhere in the world I'd rather be than at Carolina. It has been an incredible first seven years with great achievements and I believe there is still so much for us to do as we continue to climb the mountain! Absolutely no where I'd rather be!"
Miltenberg has also aided in academic excellence within his program. The Carolina women's cross country team earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors following the 2025 season, earning a 3.35 team GPA. Logan St. John-Kletter, Vera Sjoberg, Colton Sands, Tomer Tarragano, Maddie Gardiner and Aiden Neal all earned individual academic accolades this past semester.
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