LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Following a nationwide search for the next head coach of its cross country and track & field teams, NM State needed only to look within its own program to find the right man for the job.

Monday afternoon, NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia announced Joseph Rath has been selected as the next head coach of the Aggies' women's track & field and men's and women's cross country teams.

"As we did when we hired 2020 WAC Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year Doug Reynolds, our committee was aggressive in recruiting nationally for this head coaching position," commented Moccia. "We contacted well over 100 coaches and had a very robust pool of finalists. After the process was complete, I believed that Joseph Rath was the best person to continue our upward trajectory in track & field as well as cross country. He has been a big part of our recent championship success and I believe he has the proper blueprint in order to be successful in Las Cruces, N.M."

A fixture on the Aggies' coaching staff for over a half-decade, Rath takes the reins of NM State's entire cross country and track & field operation after serving as an assistant coach for the program since the start of the 2016-17 academic year.

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to be the next head coach at New Mexico State University," Rath stated. "Every morning I'm excited to wake up knowing the staff and team I get to work with.  I can't thank them enough for all their support and belief in me. I am incredibly excited to work with each member of our team to reach our collective goals. We have a lot in motion, but once we have the addition of our throws coach, we'll have everyone on the bus and ready to map out the details to guide our teams to their highest levels."

With Rath on their side, the Aggies have enjoyed one of the most memorable stretches of success in the history of their women's track & field program. The highlight came in February of 2020 when the Aggies' women's indoor track & field team captured the first WAC Indoor Track & Field title in the history of the program. In order to hoist the league's championship trophy, the Aggies relied heavily on the contributions of Rath's distance crew. On the final day of the meet, Jess Dominguez claimed a WAC Championship finish in the 3,000-meter run - one of seven WAC titles the Aggies claimed to help them take home the team trophy. 

In all, the Aggies have seen 16 student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Division I Women's Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary meet through Rath's time in Las Cruces. NM State's women's indoor and outdoor track & field programs have finished either first, second or third at the WAC championship meets with Rath helping to lead the way, too.

A distance specialist, Rath's specialty has been overseeing the Aggies' cross country programs while serving as a coach for the track & field team's distance runners. Under Rath's eye, Crissey Amberg qualified for the NCAA Division I Women's Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary meet on two occasions (2017 and 2019), making her the first - and so far only - individual in the history of women's track & field at NM State to make the cut for NCAAs in that event.

On the cross country trails, Rath directed the Aggies' women's team to a 2017 WAC championship. Running on their home course, the Aggies saw three of their student-athletes - Amberg, Jess Dominguez and Julia Yescas - collect All-WAC honors. Rath was named the 2017 WAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year for his work.

Led by Rath's oversight, a total of 16 NM State cross country runners have earned All-WAC honors of one kind or another in his tenure.

Rath completed successful assistant coaching stints at both Texas Tech (2013-16) and Morehead State (2011-12) where he helped oversee both the cross country and track & field programs. With the Red Raiders, Rath helped their men's outdoor track & field team claim the 2014 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field title. He also guided Kennedy Kithuka to a runner-up finish at the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championships.

His coaching career began at Butte Community College in 2011 where he was in charge of the track & field team's distance crew.

A graduate of Southern Oregon University (2009), Rath earned a degree in psychology before obtaining a master's degree in psychology from Chico State in 2013. As a student-athlete, Rath competed for both Southern Oregon and Chico State, helping the former finish fourth at the NAIA Men's Cross Country national meet in 2008. Rath is married to former Texas Tech track & field star Purity Biwott who established two school records and collected multiple All-Big 12 citations as well as an All-American laurel during her time on the Red Raiders' squad. The Raths, along with their son, Soren, reside in Las Cruces.

"I have a ton of people that I've thanked, need to thank, and need to thank even more," Rath concluded. "A big thanks goes to the search committee of Mario Moccia, James Hall, Ed Posaski, and Braun Cartwright for giving me this opportunity. Coaches Ericksen, Richburg, and Murray thanks for your continued mentorship and friendship. Coach Reynolds, thanks for taking a chance and retaining me four years ago to allow me to be one of the luckiest assistant coaches in the country. Thanks for trusting and grooming me for the role I now hold. Coach Davis, thanks for your trust, support, and everything I know you will continue to bring as our Associate Head Coach. Finally, family and close friends are incredibly important to me, so privately I'll be thanking each of them for everything they have helped me with."  

For complete coverage of NM State cross country and track & field, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Track/XC), Twitter (@NMStateXCTF) and Instagram (@NMStateXCTF).

What they're saying about Rath
Doug Reynolds | Assistant Coach (Throws) • Florida State | "Joseph has been part of the backbone of NM State cross country and track & field for many years, and I know that he will be a great leader as the new head coach. He has the broad scope vision for continued growth of the program, and the finite eye for the specific needs of NM State as the WAC continues to evolve as a conference. He brings high character and moral integrity to every decision he makes, which makes him the right leader for the student athletes, and the right head coach for NM State!"

Brent Ericksen | Director of Cross Country and Track & Field • Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | "I've known Joe since he was an athlete who competed for me back in Oregon. He has worked hard to get this opportunity and it will be fun to see where he takes the program over the next few years."

Jonathan Murray | Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track & Field Coach • Texas Tech | "What a great hire! There is no one who has been training themselves better to become a head coach. The future is bright for the NM State program. Coach Rath does a tremendous job developing his athletes and it will be fun to watch his impact on the entire team."

++NM State++