Eric Gillis accepts St. FX coaching role, plans to relocate to Nova Scotia

Three-time Olympian Eric Gillis is on track to take over the head coaching position at St. Francis Xavier University.

The 37-year-old has accepted a position as assistant coach with the Antigonish, N.S.-based institution, St. FX athletics announced on Monday. Current cross-country and track and field head coach Bernie Chisholm will coach for one final season in 2017-2018 with Gillis under his wing. Chisholm has guided the program for 31 years.

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According to St. FX, Gillis will relocate to Antigonish, his hometown, from his current residence in Guelph, Ont., where he trains with the Speed River Track Club. Gillis is coming off a 10th-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics and leads Canada in the men’s marathon for the upcoming IAAF World Championships in London.

“Upon Chisholm’s retirement, the succession plan will have Gillis take over the cross country and track & field programs as the new head coach,” reads the press release.

thanks a lot!.. saddened to physically leave Guelph, what a ride it's been, couldn't imagine it happening anywhere else!! Love that place!!

— Eric Gillis (@EriclXlGillis) July 17, 2017

Gillis will continue training at a world-class level while coaching at the university where he graduated in 2004.