Raymond Farmer resigns as Walters State Cross Country Coach

MORRISTOWN, TN – After seven years as head coach of the Walters State men's and women's cross country programs, Raymond Farmer resigned on Thursday.

A national search will begin immediately to find Farmer's replacement.

"We'd like to thank Coach Farmer for all he has done for our student-athletes over the past seven years," Walters State Athletic Director Derek Creech said. "Coach Farmer has been with our program since its return and has done a great job of building it up from the ground. We wish Coach Farmer the best in his future endeavors."

Farmer was named head coach in 2019, when the men's program returned and the women's program began. Farmer led the men's cross-country program to Region 7 Championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and the women's program to Region 7 Championships in 2019, 2021 and 2022. The Senators and Lady Senators combined to win 13 meets under Farmer's leadership.

During his seven years, Farmer guided three runners to Region 7 Individual Championships. Those three were Aaliyah Mattison (2019), Brando Resendiz (2022 and 2023) and Julianne Dodson (2022 and 2023). Farmer was named the Region 7 Coach of the Year six times. 

Most recently, Farmer helped Gage Slagle to NJCAA DII Third Team All-American honors in 2025 after Slagle finished in 21st-place at the NJCAA DII National Championship. He was the first All-American in program history.