Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

Francis Reynolds joins the PLU staff as the interim head coach prior to the 2025 cross country season and was named the program's permanent head coach in the spring of 2026.

During the 2025 cross country season Francis had eight of the men's cross country team's 10 runners that raced in the fall earn personal bests in the 8,000-meter distance while nine registered personal best efforts in the 5,000-meter distance. On the women's side, 11 of the squad's 14 runners achieved personal bests in the 6,000-meter distance during the 2025 campaign. Francis coached an All-Conference runner in Kai Sorensen who also finished the academic year as a CSC Academic All-District selection. 

Prior to PLU, Reynolds served as an assistant coach for his alma mater University of Puget Sound from 2010 to 2015 before serving as head cross country and track & field coach at Meeker Middle School in Tacoma from 2016 to 2023. He spent the 2024 cross country season as an assistant coach with Annie Wright Upper School. Reynolds concurrently worked as an administrator for Puget Sound cross country and track & field meets since graduating in 2010.
 
Reynolds was a four-time All-Northwest Conference honoree in cross country competing for crosstown rival University of Puget Sound. That includes winning two NWC titles (2008 and 2009) and earning All-American honors twice at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. On the track, Reynolds was the NWC Champion in the 10,000-meters in 2019 and is the Puget Sound school record holder in the indoor 5,000-meters. 
 
Reynolds continued to run after graduation, winning the Sound to Narrows 12K road race in 2017.
 
Reynolds graduated from Puget Sound in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in music while earning a master’s of art’s and teaching in 2011. Reynolds is USATF Level 1 Certified and is a board member of the Tacoma City Running Club.