MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg College men's and women's track and field and cross country head coach Dennis Barker has announced his resignation from his coaching positions, the college's athletic department has announced. Barker has served as coach for both sports for the past 20 seasons.

The college's current assistant coaches will be promoted to serve as interim head coaches, said Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson, when Barker resigns effective on Jan. 1. Meghan Peyton, who has spent four seasons as a cross country assistant coach, will serve the cross country teams, and Jarred Sampson, who has been a track and field assistant coach for two seasons, will take over the track and field programs.

"As our longest tenured head coach, it's sad to see Dennis go," Swenson said. "He was the only coach in the MIAC that coached all six sports (cross country, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field), which was an incredible undertaking. We want to thank him for his years of coaching excellence. This wasn't an easy decision for him, and I wish him the best as he pursues his new endeavors."

Barker said that he will continue to serve as head coach for Team USA Minnesota, which he helped start in 2001 and has been based at both Augsburg and the University of Minnesota. Team USA Minnesota is a Twin Cities-based distance running training center that develops Olympic-caliber athletes. Peyton currently is a runner in the Team USA Minnesota program.

"The best part of coaching at Augsburg has been being around such great kids every day," Barker said. "I think that people are more likely to reach their full potential when they are in a positive, supportive, encouraging environment. I always tried to provide that for the team."

In cross country, 35 Auggies earned either All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (17) or All-MIAC Honorable Mention (18) honors under Barker's coaching, with 20 athletes earning NCAA All-Region honors and six athletes qualifying for the NCAA Division III national championships, one earning All-American honors.

In track and field, Barker coached 59 MIAC event champions (individuals and relays) in his career, along with 147 All-MIAC and 126 All-MIAC Honorable Mention honorees. He guided 47 entries to NCAA Division III national championship competition, with 16 earning All-America honors.

His teams have also earned numerous academic honors. In cross country, seven Augsburg men's teams and eight Augsburg women's teams have earned U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Team Academic Awards since 2003, with the Auggie women earning the honor every year since 2006 and the men earning the honor every year but one since 2006.

"It was so rewarding when I saw a kid or group of kids gain confidence and begin to thrive athletically, and then have it carry over to other areas of their lives," Barker said. "So many of the kids I coached are now thriving and making outstanding contributions in their professions and communities. And so many will remain lifelong friends to each other and to me."

The college will begin a national search to fill the coaching positions this spring, college officials noted.