Gary Droze returns to Tallahassee State as women's cross country coach

Gary Droze is returning to Appleyard Drive.

On Thursday, April 30, Tallahassee State College announced that it has hired Gary Droze to return as the women’s cross country head coach.

He replaces former head coach Kara Guinan, hired in 2024.

A known name in Tallahassee’s running community, Droze launched TSC’s cross-country program in 2016 and also oversaw the school’s now-discontinued track and field teams until 2023.

“Gary Droze’s impact on cross country and track in our region is unmatched,” said Dr. Sheri Rowland, Vice President for Student Affairs and interim Director of Athletics, in a press release.

“His experience, leadership, and passion for student-athletes make him the ideal person to lead our women’s program. We are excited to welcome him back to TSC.”

During his previous tenure at TSC (then Tallahassee Community College), Droze built a competitive program that produced All-Americans and qualifiers for the National Junior College Athletic Association Track and Field Championships.

Before joining the college coaching ranks, Droze led the Maclay School’s cross country and track and field teams from 1993 until 2019.

The Marauders boys’ cross country team won five straight Florida High School Athletic Association state championships from 1998 to 2002, while the girls’ team captured the trophy in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2005.

Those accolades earned Droze a FHSAA Hall of Fame nod in 2018 alongside multiple Tallahassee Democrat All-Big Bend Coach of the Year awards, among other coaching recognitions throughout his career.

Droze competed for the United States Air Force Academy at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 1981, and then represented the United States at the World Military Cross Country Championships in Portugal in 1985. During that time, he started his coaching career in the Panhandle as an assistant at Choctawhatchee High School while stationed at Eglin Air Force Base.

Droze has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in exercise physiology from Florida State University.

“I’m honored to return to Tallahassee State College and work with these student-athletes,” Droze said. “This program has great potential, and I’m excited to help build on its foundation and continue growing the sport in our community.”

Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.

Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gary Droze hired to return as TSC's women's cross country coach