MEMPHIS - Director of Athletics Jim Duncan announced today that Marcus Harris will take over the reins of the Men's and Women's Track and Field program. Harris takes over for Robert Shankman, who remains the Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach and Assistant Director of Athletics.

"Marcus has done a remarkable job as the head assistant for the Track and Field program for the past ten seasons. His passion for Rhodes and our mission is evident, and he understands the dynamics and expectations of being a Lynx student-athlete," stated Duncan.

During his tenure as an assistant, Coach Harris has helped the Lynx secure nine SAA track & field titles – six by the women and three by the men. Harris also coached Renn Eason, a four-time national qualifier in the high jump and 2017 NCAA Division III Indoor High Jump Champion.

"I am very excited for Marcus," said Coach Shankman.  "We have worked closely for many years.  He is an excellent coach and an outstanding person. This is a great opportunity for him to grow professionally, while allowing me to focus on our distance and middle-distance programs."

Harris was a track and field athlete at Texas Southern University, where he was a three-time Southwest Athletics Champion. He qualified for the NCAA Division I Championship five times and was a two-time All-American in the high jump. In 2004, Harris finished second at the national championship with a 2.23m jump. He also competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2004 and 2008.

In high school, Harris was a basketball and track star at Overton High School in Memphis. As of 2017, he remains the record holder in the high jump with a record of 2.15m.

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of Head Track and Field Coach at Rhodes College. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to President Jennifer Collins, Director of Athletics Jim Duncan, and the entire Rhodes community for their trust and unwavering support. I'm especially grateful for the legacy built by Coach Robert Shankman—his impact on this program is profound, and I'm humbled to follow in his footsteps. I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence at Rhodes and working with our exceptional student-athletes to reach new heights both on and off the track. Roll Lynx!"