CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State track and field alum and former assistant coach Creighton Trembly will serve as the Interim Head Coach for Cross Country/Track and Field for the 2026-27 season, Director of Athletics Mannie Reinsch announced Tuesday.

"I am excited to announce Creighton as our Interim Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach for the 2026-27 academic year," Reinsch said. "After a standout athletic career, Creighton made the decision to give back to the program by stepping into an assistant coach role last year. His commitment to our program and experience as a student-athlete give him a strong understanding of what it means to be an Eagle as he takes on this new challenge."
 
Trembly's appointment comes after previous head coach Jake Gruver stepped down from his position last week for another job outside athletics. 

"I am beyond grateful to our amazing group of student athletes, the administration, and Chadron State College for this opportunity to lead the program this season," Trembly said. "The program's culture and competitiveness have improved greatly during Coach Gruver's tenure, and I am committed to continue building on that success."

Trembly spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach for hurdles and jumps on Gruver's staff. Last season, he had an active role in coaching All-American jumper Chayton Bynes, who finished top-five at nationals both indoors and outdoors in the triple jump while sweeping the league's Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year honors. Bynes broke his own school record three separate times and set a new facility record for the Chadron State track with Trembly as his event coach.

Trembly competed as a student-athlete for Chadron State from 2020-2025, primarily as a hurdler but also running in sprints and relays. Trembly finished second in the 110-meter hurdles at the RMAC Outdoor Championships three separate times – in 2022, 2023 and 2025 – and had five other top-four RMAC meet finishes across his indoor and outdoor career (three individual and two relay).

A native of Longmont, Colorado, Trembly also earned a First Team Academic All-RMAC selection in 2025 and made four other appearances on the conference's all-academic honor roll. Trembly has two degrees from Chadron State, graduating with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in history.