Wake Forest Athletics
Brandon Hazouri Elevated to Women’s Cross Country Head Coach and Track & Field Associate Head Coach
7/24/2026 10:55:00 AM | Cross Country, Track and Field
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes announced the promotion of Brandon Hazouri to Women's Cross Country Head Coach and Track & Field Associate Head Coach on Friday, July 24.
Joining the program in July 2021 as an assistant coach, Hazouri has since played a critical role in both team and individual success. He has spent time as an event coach for track and as the lead recruiting coordinator for the men's cross country team.
Hazouri inherits a women's cross country team that is coming off its first NCAA championship appearance since 2006. Angelina Perez, a 2025 All-American, headlines the incoming fall roster, as the senior also earned All-ACC honors for the second-straight season after placing ninth at the ACC Cross Country Championships.
During the 2024 men's outdoor track and field season, Hazouri helped Rynard Swanepoel break the school record in the 800-meter (1:45.28) before he totaled a second-best all-time mark indoors the following year. Swanepoel was ultimately an ACC runner-up twice in the event, as well as a two-time outdoor All-American. In the indoor DMR, eight of the top-10 best finishes in Wake Forest history have happened during Hazouri's tenure, including a program record of 9:17.15 in 2025. On the women's side, Hazouri helped develop Natalia Issler and Emma Douglass to set new program marks in the outdoor 800-meter, good for a first since 2003. Competing in the same event indoors, Douglass holds the all-time best clip of 2:03.95.
From 2021-25, Hazouri helped the men's cross country team notch three top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a fifth-place finish in 2022. The Deacs also captured team titles at the 2022 and 2024 ACC Championships. Additionally, Wake Forest secured the NCAA Division I Southeast Regional championship this past fall. Hazouri coached five All-Americans in cross country through his five fall seasons. As the lead recruiting coordinator, he brought in the No. 7 class in 2022, No. 4 class in 2023 and No. 3 class in 2024.
During Hazouri's time in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest has seen 10 men's and women's student-athletes earn All-ACC honors in cross country, 24 in indoor track and field, and 37 in outdoor track and field. Additionally, three Deacs have earned major yearly awards by the conference:
What They're Saying
Joining the program in July 2021 as an assistant coach, Hazouri has since played a critical role in both team and individual success. He has spent time as an event coach for track and as the lead recruiting coordinator for the men's cross country team.
Hazouri inherits a women's cross country team that is coming off its first NCAA championship appearance since 2006. Angelina Perez, a 2025 All-American, headlines the incoming fall roster, as the senior also earned All-ACC honors for the second-straight season after placing ninth at the ACC Cross Country Championships.
During the 2024 men's outdoor track and field season, Hazouri helped Rynard Swanepoel break the school record in the 800-meter (1:45.28) before he totaled a second-best all-time mark indoors the following year. Swanepoel was ultimately an ACC runner-up twice in the event, as well as a two-time outdoor All-American. In the indoor DMR, eight of the top-10 best finishes in Wake Forest history have happened during Hazouri's tenure, including a program record of 9:17.15 in 2025. On the women's side, Hazouri helped develop Natalia Issler and Emma Douglass to set new program marks in the outdoor 800-meter, good for a first since 2003. Competing in the same event indoors, Douglass holds the all-time best clip of 2:03.95.
From 2021-25, Hazouri helped the men's cross country team notch three top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, including a fifth-place finish in 2022. The Deacs also captured team titles at the 2022 and 2024 ACC Championships. Additionally, Wake Forest secured the NCAA Division I Southeast Regional championship this past fall. Hazouri coached five All-Americans in cross country through his five fall seasons. As the lead recruiting coordinator, he brought in the No. 7 class in 2022, No. 4 class in 2023 and No. 3 class in 2024.
During Hazouri's time in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest has seen 10 men's and women's student-athletes earn All-ACC honors in cross country, 24 in indoor track and field, and 37 in outdoor track and field. Additionally, three Deacs have earned major yearly awards by the conference:
- Rocky Hansen
- 2025 Performer of the Year (Men's Cross Country)
- 2024 ACC Rookie of the Year (Men's Outdoor Track & Field)
- Jojo Jourdon
- 2024 ACC Freshman of the Year (Men's Cross Country)
- Charlie Sprott
- 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year (Men's Cross Country)
What They're Saying
- Women's Cross Country Head Coach and Track & Field Associate Head Coach Brandon Hazouri
- "It's been a whirlwind these last several days, but I can't believe I've been afforded the opportunity to lead this women's cross country team. I want to say thank you to John Hayes who has worked tirelessly to help make this possible, along with Associate AD David Bass, Sr. Deputy AD Scott Garrett and Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie. The support all the way through the top of our administration is what makes this place special. My family and I are so happy to be staying in Winston-Salem. Go Deacs!
- Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes
- "Promoting Brandon Hazouri to head coach of women's cross country is a natural and well-deserved next step for our program. Since joining us in 2021, Brandon has been instrumental in elevating our student-athletes and fostering a culture of excellence. His passion, vision and deep commitment to Wake Forest makes him the ideal leader to drive our women's cross country team and mid-distance runners to new heights."
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Track and Field
/ Track and Field
/ Track and Field
/ Track and Field
/ Cross Country
Thursday, July 16
Thursday, July 09
Thursday, July 02
Thursday, June 25