Aaron Combs Named Track & Field and Cross Country Director

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Aaron Combs has been selected as the director of the Purdue Fort Wayne track & field and cross country programs, Athletic Director Kelley Hartley Hutton announced on Tuesday (April 29).

Combs joined the Mastodons in 2019, focusing on cross country and the distance team as track & field assistant coach. During his tenure with the program, both the men's and women's teams achieved their best league finishes in program history. Combs was the acting director of the Mastodon program in the winter of 2025 and earned the 2025 Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Women's Coach of the Year award after the Mastodons' runner-up finish at the league meet. The men's team tied their best finish thanks to a program-best 95 points at the 2025 league meet. Combs' runners hold every men's distance record, three Horizon League event titles, three Horizon League Indoor Runner of the Week selections and the 2024 Alfreeda Goff Horizon Athlete of the Year honor.

"We are thrilled to promote Aaron Combs to the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country." Hartley Hutton said. "Though we had several qualified candidates, Coach Combs has been an integral part of our program's recent growth, and his leadership, experience, vision, and commitment to our student-athletes make him the ideal choice to lead the Mastodons into the future. This is a well-deserved opportunity, and we are excited for what's ahead under his guidance."

"Being named Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Purdue University Fort Wayne is truly an honor and an incredible opportunity. Fort Wayne is a special place - from the supportive community to the campus and facilities, the potential here is undeniable." combs said. "I believe this program is a sleeping giant, and I'm excited to continue building something special in this new role. There's a real magic to this place, and I can't wait to get to work and see what we can accomplish together. I want to thank Athletic Director Kelley Hartley Hutton and the entire Mastodon Athletics leadership team for trusting me with this opportunity."

As head coach of the cross country programs, Combs also led the Mastodons to program best league finishes. The 'Dons finished as runner-up in the 2023 Horizon League Women's Cross Country Championships, finishing with the championship's individual champion and Horizon League Athlete of the Year. The men's team took third in the 2022 Horizon League Men's Cross Country Championships, the best program finish.

Athletes under Combs have earned six All-Horizon League First Team and four All-Horizon League Second Team cross country selections. His cross country runners earned four Horizon League Runner of the Week awards and three Horizon League Freshman of the Week honors. The men's cross country runners under Combs' reset 26 out of 30 top-10 finishes in program history. Women's cross country runners set nine program top-10 finishes on during his tenure.

The Mastodons will travel to Youngstown for the 2025 Horizon League Outdoor Championships on May 9-11.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics

Aaron Combs Named Track & Field and Cross Country Director

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