Mike Dager Named ODAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year The Generals’ 12th-year mentor received the award for the sixth time in his career.

By Brian Laubscher
December 10, 2025

Mike Dager, Washington and Lee University head women’s cross country coach, was selected as the 2025 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coach of the Year in voting conducted by the conference’s coaches.

Dager earned the award for the sixth time in his career and second year in a row after guiding the Generals to the 2025 ODAC Championship. W&L took the team title in commanding fashion, claiming five of the top seven places, including each of the first two finishers led by individual champion Olivia Warr ’27. The conference title was W&L’s second in a row and its 21st all-time.

The Blue & White went on to finish second at the NCAA South Regional and 15th at the NCAA Division III Championship. Warr recorded the top finish ever posted by a W&L runner at the national championship, crossing the line in fourth place to earn All-America honors for the second straight season.

Dager has led W&L to seven conference championships and two regional titles in his W&L career. He’s mentored his runners to three individual conference championships and countless All-ODAC citations.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education from West Chester University and a Master of Science in classroom management from Wilkes University.

If you know a W&L faculty member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.