CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State Athletics announced Tuesday that Track and Field/Cross Country Head Coach Jake Gruver is stepping down from his position, effective immediately, to pursue another position outside athletics. 

"We are sad to see Jake step away from Chadron State," Director of Athletics Mannie Reinsch said. "Coach Gruver's ability to develop, mentor and build positive and lasting relationships with our student-athletes has been truly remarkable and leaves a significant hole for us to fill. I would like to thank Jake for his many contributions to Chadron State and wish him and his family all the best."

Gruver returned to his alma mater in September 2023 to lead the track and field program and assumed oversight of the cross country program in 2024. He coached Chayton Bynes to indoor and outdoor All-American honors in the triple jump in both 2024-25 and 2025-26, and had three athletes, including Bynes, win All-America honors at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Pueblo, Colorado. 

As a student-athlete for Chadron State, Gruver was a seven-time RMAC champion and won All-American honors in 2011 as the anchor leg of a Chadron State 4x100 relay team. That 2011 team held the Chadron State 4x100 school record until it was broken in 2024 by a Gruver-coached relay squad. 

"Without a doubt, Coach Gruver has elevated our track and field and cross country programs and is leaving them in a strong position for the future," Reinsch said. "Our next steps will be focused towards building upon the foundation that Jake has laid and maintaining the current level and current culture of our program."

An interim replacement for the 2026-27 season will be named in the coming days. A national search for a permanent head coach is expected to commence early in 2027.