Hansen Named Interim Head Coach of Gonzaga Women’s Cross Country
8/10/2026 1:00:00 PM | Cross Country
Utah native was on the Gonzaga staff during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons
SPOKANE, Wash. – McKenna Hansen has been named interim head coach of the Gonzaga University women's cross country program.
"I'm very excited to work with this group of women," Hansen said. "There is so much strength and potential in this program and I look forward to seeing what happens when we go all in with, and for, each other."
Hansen served as the Zags' graduate assistant during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, helping guide Gonzaga through a historic 2024 campaign that included six meet titles, the program's third conference championship, its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2015 and a program-best No. 16 national ranking. In 2023, the Zags climbed to No. 27 nationally and No. 4 in the West Region, finished second at the conference championships and fifth at the NCAA West Regional. During the 2023 and 2024 cross country seasons, Gonzaga earned four All-Region honors and seven All-Conference selections.
On the track, the Bulldogs recorded three combined All-America finishes in 2024 and 2025, while 11 student-athletes advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
"We're excited to welcome McKenna back to Gonzaga," Deputy Athletic Director Shannon Strahl said. "Her familiarity with our student-athletes and our program make her an excellent fit as we return a talented roster and begin an exciting new chapter in the Pac-12 Conference."
Hansen earned a bachelor's degree in strategic business management with a minor in family studies from BYU before completing a master's degree in organizational leadership at Gonzaga. As a student-athlete at BYU, she helped the Cougars win the 2020 NCAA Cross Country National Championship and finish as national runner-up in 2021. A three-time All-Conference selection, she competed at three conference championships and three NCAA Championships.
Before competing at BYU, Hansen won the 2018 UHSAA 6A cross country state championship and placed 17th at the 2015 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
Hansen will immediately oversee preparations for the 2026 cross country season, which opens Sept. 4 with the Clash of the Inland Northwest at The Course in Spokane Valley.
Gonzaga plans to conduct a national search this fall for its next head coach of women's cross country and track.
"I'm very excited to work with this group of women," Hansen said. "There is so much strength and potential in this program and I look forward to seeing what happens when we go all in with, and for, each other."
Hansen served as the Zags' graduate assistant during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, helping guide Gonzaga through a historic 2024 campaign that included six meet titles, the program's third conference championship, its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2015 and a program-best No. 16 national ranking. In 2023, the Zags climbed to No. 27 nationally and No. 4 in the West Region, finished second at the conference championships and fifth at the NCAA West Regional. During the 2023 and 2024 cross country seasons, Gonzaga earned four All-Region honors and seven All-Conference selections.
On the track, the Bulldogs recorded three combined All-America finishes in 2024 and 2025, while 11 student-athletes advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
"We're excited to welcome McKenna back to Gonzaga," Deputy Athletic Director Shannon Strahl said. "Her familiarity with our student-athletes and our program make her an excellent fit as we return a talented roster and begin an exciting new chapter in the Pac-12 Conference."
Hansen earned a bachelor's degree in strategic business management with a minor in family studies from BYU before completing a master's degree in organizational leadership at Gonzaga. As a student-athlete at BYU, she helped the Cougars win the 2020 NCAA Cross Country National Championship and finish as national runner-up in 2021. A three-time All-Conference selection, she competed at three conference championships and three NCAA Championships.
Before competing at BYU, Hansen won the 2018 UHSAA 6A cross country state championship and placed 17th at the 2015 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
Hansen will immediately oversee preparations for the 2026 cross country season, which opens Sept. 4 with the Clash of the Inland Northwest at The Course in Spokane Valley.
Gonzaga plans to conduct a national search this fall for its next head coach of women's cross country and track.
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