LUBBOCK, Texas - Lubbock Christian University Director of Athletics, Andrew Sorrells, announces the promotion of Tyree Gailes as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, effective immediately. Gailes has served as LCU's sprints coach since the 2020-21 season. 
 
"Tyree's leadership and commitment to our student-athletes has been outstanding," said Sorrells. "I am confident he will continue to elevate our program in his new role."

The promotion of Gailes comes after Nick Cordes resigned to accept a teaching and coaching job at Lubbock ISD's Coronado High School. Cordes will serve as an assistant coach for the Mustang girls basketball and track programs. Nick's wife, Leigh, will remain at LCU and her role will expand to oversee both men's and women's cross country programs.
 
During his four seasons as LCU's sprints coach, Gailes was crucial in the success and growth of the LCU Track & Field program, sending 18 sprinters to NCAA Division II National Championship meets. Gailes played a key role in Anna Salisbury's bronze medal finish in the women's 400-meter dash at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships and the men's 4X400 meter relay team's sixth place finish at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
 
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Gailes made his mark in the professional ranks, running for Reebok for two years and competing internationally for the United States. He won the 100-meter dash in Brazzaville, Congo in 2008 and was second in the 200-meter at the same meet. He also was the 100-meter champion in Berlin, Germany that same year. Gailes secured a top 13 ranking in the United States in 2009 and was part of the USA 4X100 relay B team that clocked a time of 39.3 seconds.
 
Gailes is no stranger to Lubbock, as he was a two-time Division I All-American at Texas Tech. The Abilene native ran a time of 10.11 in the 100-meter dash to place fourth at the NCAA D-I Outdoor National Championships, which stood as the school record until 2018. He also held the 200-meter outdoor record with a time of 20.5 that made him the Big 12 Champion in 2004. Indoors, Gailes held the 55-meter dash record from 2004-11. He was a team captain for the Red Raiders and helped the men's program to its first Big 12 Championship of any kind during outdoor season in 2005.
 
Gailes ran at Garden City Community College before his time at Texas Tech, capturing seven All-America awards and a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter dash at the NJCAA Outdoor National Championships. In high school, he was a part of the Texas 5A State Championship team in 2001 at Abilene High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science degree.
 
Gailes and his wife Christal reside in Lubbock and have two children together.