Northrop girls track and field coach Tom Knudson, who has guided the Bruins to seven state championships and two runner-up finishes, has been named as the women’s track and field head coach at Trine, the university announced Tuesday.

Knudson, whose Northrop girls teams won six consecutive state titles from 2000-2005, was named the National Track and Field Coach of the Year in 2002, and was selected coach of the year from 2000-05 and 2011 by the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches. In 2010, Knudson was inducted into the Indiana Track and Field Hall of Fame.

“Watching my athletes move on to the next level and maturing into great young men and women is the highlight of my coaching career,” Knudson said in a university statement. “I have had great coaches in my track career and have learned so much. Coaching is a chance to give back to the sport that has been good to me and allowed me to meet great people and have great opportunities.

“Sharing all of my knowledge and experiences with my athletes and coaches has been one of my main goals over the last several years. I look forward to the opportunity here atTrineUniversityand an opportunity to coach at the collegiate level.”

Knudson replaces Bill Cooper as the women’s track and field coach at Trine. Cooper resigned to accept a similar position atRandolphCollegeinLynchburg,Va.

Northrop is accepting applications for the coaching vacancy.