Luke Kopnick is in his first season as the head coach of the St. Olaf men's cross country program - his sixth season overall at St. Olaf - in 2026-27.
After five seasons as an assistant coach for the St. Olaf men's and women's cross country and track and field programs, he was promoted to head men's cross country coach in March 2026.
Prior to his promotion, Kopnick helped the men's and women's cross country teams to five Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) team titles and nine top-20 national team finishes during his five years as an assistant coach. Both teams qualiifed for the NCAA Division III Championships in all five seasons, with both teams finishing as high as eighth in the country. He was on the staffs that led the Ole men to MIAC team titles in each of the lats four seasons (2022-25), as well as the 2021 women's title.
In track and field, St. Olaf placed in the top four in both genders at the MIAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships in each of Kopnick's five seasons on staff, including eight runner-up team finishes. The two programs have produced 23 All-America individuals and relays among 40 national qualifiers.
Kopnick came to St. Olaf after spending four seasons on the coaching staff of the women's cross country and track and field teams at the University of St. Thomas. At St. Thomas, he coached five NCAA Division III national qualifiers, 22 All-MIAC performers, and one MIAC individual champion, as the Tommies won four MIAC team titles in track and field. During his time at St. Thomas, Kopnick was also named the 2020 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Central Region Indoor Track & Field Assistant Coach of the Year.Â
Prior to that, he spent the 2018 track season at the University of Minnesota as a volunteer coach, where he worked with Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Steve Plasencia to develop all aspects of training for distance and middle-distance student-athletes, including the 2018 3,000-meter steeplechase national champion, Obsa Ali.
Kopnick attended Winona State University and competed for the men's cross country team, serving as a team captain in his final two seasons. He went on to earn his graduate degree in sport and athletic administration from Gonzaga University in May 2017. While at Gonzaga, he served as a graduate assistant, planning and implementing daily practices with Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Pat Tyson. Kopnick wrote the training for mid-distance and steeplechase student-athletes, including the school's first All-American in track and field in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
