CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Citadel Athletics elevated longtime head coach Kris Kut,' 00 to the position of Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, per an announcement from the department on Thursday. Kut takes the helm following the retirement of Jody Huddleston, who concluded his 40-year tenure leading the Bulldogs' program on June 30, 2026.
 
"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named The Citadel's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country after serving this institution for almost three decades," Kut said. "This opportunity is the realization of a dream that began when I was a cadet-athlete here, and it is something I have been working toward ever since. The Citadel has had a profound impact on my life, and I am grateful for the chance to lead a program that means so much to me.

"My goal is to build upon the strong foundation that has been established and continue developing a culture of excellence, accountability and commitment. Just as important, I want our program to be a family, one where our cadet-athletes feel supported, challenged and valued. While success on the track and cross country course will always be important, my greatest responsibility is helping develop young men and women into outstanding citizens and leaders. I want every athlete who comes through our program to look back on their time at The Citadel and say they had a positive experience, formed lifelong relationships and became the best version of themselves."
 
Kut, a 2000 graduate of The Citadel, has served on the coaching staff with Huddleston in various capacities for more than two decades. Working primarily with the Bulldogs' throwers and sprinters, he has helped the men's and women's programs produce more than 70 Southern Conference champions, over 310 All-SoCon performers and 24 NCAA qualifiers.
 
"Kris Kut exemplifies everything that is right about The Citadel, Citadel Athletics and our entire community, and we could not be more excited for him to be the new Director of Track & Field and Cross Country," said Art Chase, Director of Athletics. "Kris's commitment to providing the complete student-athlete experience has been on display here for well over two decades, and certainly no one has earned this opportunity more than him. He has played an integral part in the program's success, and we are confident he will continue to not only uphold but extend the standard of excellence which he and Jody Huddleston have established together."
 
Throughout his tenure, Kut has helped oversee some of the program's most successful performances, including the 2018 season, which featured nine conference champions, 24 All-SoCon performers, more than 20 new school records, a Southern Conference record, and NCAA preliminary appearances by Malik Diggs and Josiah Johnson.
 
In 2017, The Citadel men scored a program-record 132 points and finished third at the Southern Conference Outdoor Championships while both Derrick Freeland and Mady Riegel captured conference titles. Kut also helped develop Capers Williamson, a two-time SoCon javelin champion who became the first Citadel athlete to reach the final round of the U.S. Olympic Trials, finishing eighth in 2016.
 
Huddleston praised Kut's promotion, citing his work ethic, experience, understanding of the program and relationships with generations of cadet-athletes.
 
"Coach Kut has been the heart and soul of this program for a long time," Huddleston said. "He has worked incredibly hard and played a major role in developing conference champions, All-SoCon performers and school record-holders, but his impact goes far beyond the results. He understands the standards this program was built on: responsibility, preparation, academic commitment, hard work and perseverance.
 
"He deserves the opportunity to lead the program, and I know he will be fantastic. The cadet-athletes love him and work hard for him. Knowing the program will remain in trusted hands made my decision to step away easier, and I believe this will be a very smooth transition."
 
Before joining the coaching staff, Kut was a four-year letterwinner and a three-time Southern Conference champion for the Bulldogs. The Sparta, N.J., native earned four All-SoCon honors and held The Citadel's javelin record until 2013. He was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
 
Kut's influence has extended throughout The Citadel Athletics department, where he has developed strong relationships with coaches and staff across multiple programs.

"Having worked alongside Coach Kut, I've seen the leader he is every day," said Maurice Drayton, '98, former classmate and current The Citadel football head coach. "He's been patient, excelled in every role, and earned the respect of everyone around him through his character and commitment to our student-athletes. I'm incredibly happy for him because no one is more deserving of this opportunity."
 
As he prepares to lead the program into the next chapter, Kut expressed his excitement for the opportunity ahead.
 
"I am excited for the journey ahead and look forward to serving our cadet-athletes, alumni and the entire Citadel community as we continue striving for excellence together," Kut added.


 

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