Chris Bailey

Biography

Chris Bailey was named head coach of the College of Charleston men’s and women’s cross country programs in May 2024 after serving in that capacity on an interim basis during the 2023-24 academic year. He is also an assistant coach for the track and field teams, working primarily with the distance and mid-distance runners. Bailey, a former standout athlete for the Cougars, returned to his alma mater as assistant cross country coach in January 2021 and was added to the track and field staff the following December. He previously served as an assistant cross country coach during the 2016-17 season. Bailey has overseen the development of some of the top runners in Charleston history. Under Bailey’s coaching, there have been 33 new additions to the school’s Top 10 times for indoor and outdoor track. Four of those women have taken the top spot in the school record book. Leading the Cougars is current senior Cayden Crimson who holds the school record in the 10k (35:48.82) and holds the third best time in the 5k (17:20.64). Crimson also holds the fourth best time in the outdoor 3k with a time of 10:03.65. Returning for Charleston is sophomore Jeorgie Gavalas, brought in by Bailey as a freshman. Gavalas cracked the Top 10 times in the indoor mile with a time of 4:55.31, putting her fourth on the list. Bailey helped Gavalas excel in the spring and the Cougar ran a school record setting time in the 1500m at 4:25.79. Gavalas also made the 800m Top 10 with a time of 2:12.73, putting her fo