Cross Country Head Coach
Bob Hepler

In a career that has led him from California to Maine, Bob Hepler has built strong athletic programs everywhere he has been. Since arriving at The University of Texas at Tyler in April of 2004, Hepler has led his cross country teams to nothing short of total domination in the American Southwest Conference.

In 2006, the men’s team placed five of the top seven spots in the conference, and won five meets. Nine of his runners were named to All-ASC teams. The women’s team finished third in the conference, and won at UT Dallas.

The 2005 Patriots also dominated, with the men winning five meets and placing five of the top six at the ASC Meet. The Patriots women won two meets and finished fourth in the ASC.

Hepler is not just a coach to his runners, but also a role model. In 2005, he was selected to the USA Triathlon’s All-America team, which is composed of the top athletes in the country. Hepler is a long-time triathlon athlete with many wins in his career. He is also a seven time participant in the Iron Man World Championships in Hawaii.

In 2003, he recovered from a freak injury that resulted in a completely detached hamstring, a problem so rare he wound up undergoing experimental surgery from the team doctor to the NFL’s New England Patriots. Hepler’s hamstring was reattached, but the surgeon told him he’d never be able to compete again.

A year later, he was once again competing, winning three triathlons and setting a new record at a competition in Jefferson.

Prior to coming to UT Tyler, Hepler served as the athletic director for the University of Maine at Machias. Hepler received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from UCLA, his Masters of Business Administration from Santa Clara University, and his Masters of Communications from Loyola University.

Coach Bob Hepler can be reached at (903) 565-5571 or by email at bhepler@uttyler.edu.