Charlotte, NC - Peter Brown has resigned as Johnson & Wales Charlotte's head cross country and track & field coach to pursue a career outside of coaching.

Brown started the program in 2020 during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was able to field teams in both men's and women's cross country. He built on that success in the following years, turning the Wildcats into a USCAA force. The Wildcat women finished runner-up at the USCAA National Championships in 2023, while the men have posted runner-up finishes in each of the last three USCAA National Championships. JWU's men won their first ever event at the Blue Bear Invitational in 2023, and repeated the feat in 2024.

Brown sheparded the addition of women's track & field in 2022. JWU earned top 10 finishes at the USCAA National Track & Field Championships in both 2023 and 2024. He has coached 21 USCAA National All-Academic Team members and 10 USCAA All-Americans, including both Stevenson Barnes and Yenilitza Roman, who were each 3 time All-Americans. Brown also saw cross country runner Caleb Hildreth tabbed as the USCAA Men's Cross Country National Student-Athlete of the Year in 2021. Brown himself was feted by the USCAA in 2023, as he was named USCAA Men's Cross Country National Coach of the Year.

"It has been an honor and joy to have started the Men's and Women's Cross Country program along with the Women's Track & Field program at JWU - Charlotte.  In just the fifth year of the program, the teams have experienced remarkable success, with three Men's Cross Country USCAA National Championship Runners-Up finishes and one Women's Cross Country USCAA National Championship Runner-Up finish," remarked Brown about his time at the helm of the program. "The Cross Country and Track athletes I have coached will always hold a special place in my heart and I trust that they will go on to do great things."

Athletic Director Trudi Lacey is thankful for everything that Brown contributed to the department, both as a coach and a valued member of the department team. "The Athletic Department is appreciative of Coach Brown's contribution to our cross country and women's track and field programs.  He set a standard upon which we can grow these programs and continue to have academic and athletic success now and in the future.  We wish Coach Brown all the best in his next endeavors."

Assistant Coach Toccota Murphy will take over coaching duties for cross country and track & field in the interim. A national search for the next cross country and track & field coach will commence immediately.