FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Eavenson is pleased to announce on Wednesday that head track & field coach Brian Slater has been named the 2026 Methodist University Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation Coach of the Year. Slater becomes the 13th different recipient of the award and just the second track & field coach to earn the honor in its 18-year history.

The award, voted on by a committee made up of Methodist University faculty and staff from outside the Athletic Department, annually recognizes a head coach who has been involved in campus events and their sport's professional associations, demonstrated excellent recruitment and retention within their program, and led a team that achieved outstanding athletic and academic success during the season and throughout the school year.

In his third season leading the Monarchs, Slater oversaw one of the most successful years in recent history. A total of 34 Methodist student-athletes finished the season ranked among the top 50 performers in the South Region across various events, including five performances that ranked among the nation's top 50. The Monarchs also finished the 2025-26 campaign ranked 10th in the South Region. On the men's side, Slater guided Methodist to the 2026 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship, marking a historic accomplishment for the program.
 
Slater's student-athletes also earned numerous postseason accolades throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons. The Monarchs collected multiple USA South All-Conference honors before seven student-athletes went on to earn USTFCCCA All-Region recognition. Leading the way was Logan Wade, who garnered three All-Region honors—one during the indoor season and two outdoors—and was named the ECAC Men's Most Outstanding Performer.
 
Slater will be formally recognized at a Methodist Athletics home event this fall.
 
Past McLean Foundation Coach of the Year Award winners:
2025 – Steve Conley, men's golf
2024 – Cheryl McNair, women's basketball
2023 – Bryan Madej, women's soccer
2022 – Steve Conley, men's golf
2021 – Keven Williams, football
2020 – David Smith, men's basketball
2019 – Tom Inczauskis, women's golf
2018 – Tom Austin, baseball
2017 – Zach Nedbalski, men's lacrosse
2016 – DeeDee Jarman, women's basketball
2015 – Steve Conley, men's golf
2014 – Justin Terranova, men's soccer
2013 – Tom Austin, baseball
2012 – Tom Inczauskis, women's golf
2011 – Duane Ross, track & field
2010 – Steve Conley, men's golf
2009 – Francie Barragan, women's tennis