To many, the move across the Washington-Idaho state line may seem like a short hop, skip, and a jump, but to newly appointed WSU cross country coach Wayne Phipps, the move means the start of a new era.

Anyone who encounters the WSU cross country team is immediately welcomed with a sense of change and excitement, something that Phipps constantly preaches to his athletes.

“Across the board the transition has been 100 percent awesome,” Phipps said. “The administration has really been fantastic in helping me and the kids have really been receptive.”

Formerly the head coach for the University of Idaho, Phipps brings nearly 19 years of coaching experience to an already talented WSU team.

WSU Athletic Director Bill Moos said he is excited for Phipps to join the Cougars.

“I have watched his good work from afar and have been impressed with not only his success in regards to competition but also how he has managed his program,” Moos said in a press release. “I believe he is a great fit and I am excited for the future of our Cougar Track and Field programs.”

While at Idaho, Phipps led the Vandals to 16 conference championships while also capturing 14 coach of the year awards in the process.

Assistant coach, Allix Potratz-Lee, who ran and coached alongside Phipps at Idaho, also expressed her excitement about the hop across the state line. “It’ll be nice to work alongside a familiar face in [Phipps],” she said. She added that despite only being in Pullman for a short time, the pair is “both making an effort to know campus, the athletes, and even some students.”

The duo, who took over the team on July 1, said that despite taking control halfway through the summer, the runners have all bought into his game plan. Phipps added that even though both he and the team faced some unknowns, he’s tried to, “be respectful of the previous staff,” while also trying to “continue [building] relationships” with his athletes.

Phipps acknowledges he’s faced some challenges adjusting to the grueling competition in the Pac-12. He explained the conference is often known as one of cross country’s “power conferences.”

Despite being new to the Pac-12, Phipps expressed his confidence in both the men’s and women’s teams.

“I think the guys’ team has some depth,” said Phipps, “I think our expectation is definitely to get to nationals.”

On the women’s side, Phipps raved about his standout returner Ruby Roberts.

“When I first got to meet her I knew she was a great person, student, and athlete,” Phipps said.

Phipps can do more than just “talk the talk,” he can also “walk the walk.” At the Clash of the Inland Northwest meet on Aug. 30, Phipps’ first meet as the Cougars cross country coach, both the men’s and women’s teams completed the sweep over their opponents.

“This process has gone quicker than I first imagined,” said Phipps of making the transition to WSU—and he has the results to prove it.

With Phipps, excitement resonates. Though the process of transitioning and building a winning tradition at WSU may not be easy, he understands just how great the opportunity is.

Coach Phipps and the Cougars can next be seen on the course on Sept. 27 at the Stanford Invitational in Stanford, California.