COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Iowa Western is pleased to announce Marc Bierbaum as the Director of Cross Country Track & Field.
"I am excited to promote Coach Bierbaum to head our Cross Country and Track and Field Team," said Iowa Western President Dr. Dan Kinney. "Marc has been instrumental in the success of our programs over the past few years and we are excited to continue to build on the strong tradition that has been started at Iowa Western Community College."
Coach Bierbaum spent the past four seasons as the cross country and track & field distance coach for the Reivers and during his tenure, he has produced 15 national champions, 74 NJCAA All-Americans, 23 ICCAC Region XI champions, 162 All-Region XI athletes, and 165 national qualifiers, with his athletes breaking 22 school records in four years.
"My family and I are blessed to have this opportunity to lead the Reiver Cross Country and Track & Field program," said Coach Bierbaum. "I'd like to thank Shane Larson and Dr. Kinney for believing in me. Coach Marshall has left some big shoes to fill and I appreciate his leadership these last four years."
"I have had the opportunity to work with Marc earlier in my career and know firsthand what an outstanding coach he is," said Iowa Western Athletic Director Shane Larson. "I have observed his passion for helping his athletes develop and his competitive drive for his teams to succeed. We have conducted a national search and came to the conclusion that the best person for the job is already here at Iowa Western. We are looking forward to watching his transition to the Director of Cross Country Track and Field and have full confidence in his ability to maintain the level of excellence that has been established by former Head Coach Doug Marshall."
Coach Bierbaum has been a part of the Reivers' seven NJCAA cross country and track & field team trophies; 2021 and 2022 women's indoor national championship, 2022 women's outdoor national championship, 2022 men's indoor third-place and outdoor runner-up, and the 2020 men's cross-country third-place and 2021 runner-up finishes.
Prior to starting at Iowa Western Coach Bierbaum was the head cross country and track coach at Missouri Western State University. While at MWSU Bierbaum was tasked with building the new Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track programs from scratch. During that time MWSU saw their first two NCAA DII All-Americans in Indoor and Outdoor Track. His teams saw 22 All-Conference athletes, 10 provisional marks, one All-Region XC runner, and had 22 All-Conference academic honors.
Prior to Missouri Western, Bierbaum was the Assistant Women's Cross Country and Track Coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. At UNO, Bierbaum coached two National Qualifiers, one Conference Champion, two All-Region performers, and had 36 All-Conference selections. His teams broke 13 school records and had 213 Academic All-Americans.
Prior to UNO Bierbaum served as the Head Coach for Men's and Women's Cross Country at Dana College. At Dana, he coached a National Champion, five All-Americans, 40 National Qualifiers, five Conference Champions, and one All-Region performer. Bierbaum's squads also had 44 All-Conference selections, breaking eight school records, and had 93 Academic All-Americans.
Coach Bierbaum was a three-time national qualifier at Dana College, graduating in 2001 with his BA from the school in Blair, Nebraska. Coach Bierbaum resides in Council Bluffs with his wife Jill and their two daughters Maggie and Josie.
