CHADRON – Ryan Baily has resigned his position as Chadron State College's head track and field and cross country coach, athletic director Joel R. Smith announced Tuesday.
 
Ryan Baily, who has coached track and field at CSC since 2009 and cross country since the program was revived in 2012, will be an assistant track and field coach working with the jumpers and the multi events at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
 
His wife, Janel Baily, Chadron State's volleyball coach, has also resigned her position, Smith said.
 
"Both Ryan and Janel have been a large part of the Eagle family and they will be missed," Smith said. "We are glad that a positive opportunity draws them away and we wish them great success. Each has left their program with a strong foundation and we will continue to grow that as we search for new leadership."
 
The Eagles improved under Ryan Baily. During his five years at CSC, the track and field teams qualified a record number of student-athletes for the national meet, broke numerous school and conference records and had the school's first-ever top 10 finish at the national level.
 
At the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships, Ryan Baily led the Eagles to second place five times, both indoors and outdoors. He was named the RMAC Coach of the Year four times indoors and outdoors, coached 38 RMAC champions, 21 All-Americans and one national champion during his time at Chadron State.
 
The cross country program also consistently improved each year under his tutelage, culminating in a sixth place finish for the CSC women's team at last year's conference championship.
 
"My family and I are very excited for this opportunity, but it's bittersweet to leave Chadron," Ryan Baily said. "Chadron State is my alma mater and the track and cross country programs are near to my heart and so they will always have a special place in my life. The opportunity at Colorado State University gives me a good chance to advance my career, and at the same time, we will be closer to Janel's family."
 
Janel Baily went 11-47 in two seasons guiding the CSC volleyball team. The Eagles won five matches during her first season – she was the interim coach in 2012 – and they went 6-23 a season ago when she was given the permanent position. She also guided CSC to its first RMAC victories in over two years and the most conference wins since 2009.
 
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to work at the college and for our family to live in the community," Janel Baily said. "Our family has always been supported by everyone here and that's one of the reasons why it was a difficult decision to leave. The volleyball team at CSC is ready to excel. I know they're going to be successful and I'm confident the administration will put an appropriate person in place to lead them to new heights."
 
Before becoming the 14th volleyball coach at Chadron State, Janel Baily was a full-time assistant at her alma mater, Western State, from 2006-09. Ryan Baily also coached for Mountaineers, guiding their track and field program from 2005 to 2009.
 
In addition, both Bailys are graduates of Chadron State College. Ryan Baily graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2003 and Janel Baily graduated with a master's degree in 2014.