Longtime Texas, UTSA Coach James Blackwood Remembered for Mentorship

Blackwood, who coached cross-country and track for 44 years, was known for his storytelling and ability to motivate athletes.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:55pm

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James Blackwood, a longtime coach of cross-country and track and field at the high school and collegiate levels, including stints at the University of Texas and the University of Texas at San Antonio, passed away at the age of 84. Blackwood was remembered by his former athletes and colleagues for his gift of storytelling, his ability to motivate and support his athletes, and his lifelong passion for coaching.

Why it matters

Blackwood's long and successful coaching career, which spanned over four decades, highlights the profound impact that dedicated and inspiring coaches can have on the lives of student-athletes. His legacy as a mentor and motivator who helped launch the careers of numerous All-Americans and Olympians underscores the importance of strong coach-athlete relationships in the development of young people.

The details

Blackwood began his coaching career in 1963 at the high school level before moving to the University of Texas in 1972, where he served as an assistant track coach, head cross-country coach, and associate director of the Texas Relays. During his roughly 25 years at Texas, his teams won 13 Southwest Conference championships and finished in the national top 10 on 10 occasions. He also served as the recruiting coordinator for the Longhorns football program and helped build the team that won the 1990 SWC championship. After working in the Houston Astros front office and coaching at Southern Miss, Blackwood finished his career at UTSA, where he coached seven All-Americans and more than 60 all-conference performers.

  • Blackwood began his coaching career in 1963 at Abilene's Mann Junior High.
  • Blackwood coached the Corpus Christi Ray cross-country team to the 1965 state title and a second-place finish in 1966.
  • Blackwood joined the University of Texas in 1972 as an assistant track coach, head cross-country coach, and associate director of the Texas Relays.
  • Blackwood served as the recruiting coordinator for the Longhorns football program and helped build the team that won the 1990 SWC championship.
  • Blackwood coached at UTSA for nine years, retiring from coaching in 2008.

The players

James Blackwood

A native of Abilene, Blackwood was a longtime coach of cross-country and track and field at the high school and collegiate levels, including stints at the University of Texas and the University of Texas at San Antonio. He was known for his storytelling, ability to motivate athletes, and lifelong passion for coaching.

John Helmick

A former cross-country athlete at the University of Texas who was mentored by Blackwood.

Rose Monday

A three-time U.S. Olympic coach who was hired by Blackwood in 2000 to coach UTSA's cross-country and middle-distance runners.

Susan Blackwood

Blackwood's wife of 37 years, who served as an administrator at Texas and with the University Interscholastic League before heading San Antonio Sports.

Ryanne Dupree

An All-American athlete who was coached by Blackwood at UTSA.

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What they’re saying

“He was bigger than life, and, oh, my God, the stories he could tell. We drove one time from Austin to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for a cross-country meet, and I don't think he stopped talking once the whole drive. He was like Robin Williams — you never knew what he was going to say next.”

— John Helmick, Former cross-country athlete at the University of Texas (expressnews.com)

“He wasn't ever uptight or stressed. His laughter made the girls relax.”

— Rose Monday, Three-time U.S. Olympic coach (expressnews.com)

“Coach Blackwood believed in me before I fully believed in myself. He invested in me as an athlete, but more importantly, as a person. He kept every promise he ever made to me and showed up in every season of my life. ... I gave him every ounce of blood, sweat and tears I had in my body.”

— Ryanne Dupree, Former All-American athlete at UTSA (Facebook)

What’s next

A celebration of Blackwood's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemetery Dominion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests tax-deductible memorial donations be made to the Coach James Blackwood Endowment.

The takeaway

Blackwood's long and successful coaching career, spanning over four decades, underscores the profound impact that dedicated and inspiring coaches can have on the lives of student-athletes. His legacy as a mentor and motivator who helped launch the careers of numerous All-Americans and Olympians serves as a testament to the importance of strong coach-athlete relationships in the development of young people.