The University of Texas announced on Thursday that head coach Mario Sategna has separated from the program.

In a release, University of Texas Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said, “After discussing the future of our track and field program, I felt it was best to move forward and head in a new direction at this time.” 

Sategna’s relationship with Texas dates back 15 years. He served as an associate head coach from 2003 to 2013 before being elevated to head coach in June 2013. Sategna also served as the personal coach to decathlete Trey Hardee during Hardee’s appearances in five World Championships and two Olympic Games. 

In 2016, Sategna took indefinite leave and was the subject of an ethics and misconduct investigation. He returned to the team in January 2017.

Associate head coach Tonja Buford-Bailey was named as the interim head coach. Buford-Bailey has coached at Texas since 2013 and was named the USATF Coach of the Year in 2016. The university also stated that the rest of the staff will remain. 

“Coach Buford-Bailey has a great deal of experience as a head coach and has been a valuable leader in our program for several years now," Del Conte said. "We have full confidence in her ability to lead our student-athletes and in assuming the duties of head coach immediately."

The Texas women's team currently sit 15th on FloTrack's indoor team rankings.