Chris Solinsky embodies the kind of sustained success Wisconsin’s track & field and cross country programs have represented for decades. As a student-athlete with the Badgers, he earned five NCAA championships, four Big Ten titles and 14 All-American honors, helping lead Wisconsin to the 2005 cross country national title and the 2007 indoor track national championship.

That understanding of Wisconsin’s culture, combined with an extensive coaching resume since retiring as a professional runner, made him a natural choice to succeed Mick Byrne as the Badgers’ next director of track & field and cross country. Solinsky previously spent three seasons at William & Mary (2014-17), including one as head coach of the men’s cross country team, five seasons at Florida (2018-22) and three seasons at Oregon (2023-25), during which time the Ducks won three Big Ten cross country titles. He most recently served as executive director of the W Club at Wisconsin.

In the latest Badger Connect Podcast, Solinsky discusses his career, returning to Wisconsin in a coaching capacity and more. Watch the full episode here: