Providence Names Mark Coglianese Jr. Head Boys Track & Field Coach

Providence Catholic is proud to announce Mark Coglianese Jr. ’08 as the new Head Coach of the Celtics Boys Track & Field program. A Providence graduate, former Celtic student-athlete and longtime coach, Coglianese returns to lead a program that has played an important role in his life for nearly two decades.

Coglianese becomes just the third head coach in Providence Catholic Track & Field history, marking a special full-circle moment for the former Celtic. “I am extremely grateful, humbled and excited for the opportunity to take over at my alma mater,” Coglianese said. “I wouldn’t be here without the support of my dad, Coach Ray and all of the coaches who helped shape and guide me into who I am today. I’m excited to begin this next chapter as head coach.”

A 2008 Providence Catholic graduate, Coglianese was a four-year member of both the football and track & field programs. He earned four varsity letters in track, was a three-time State Qualifier, Conference and Sectional Champion, Team MVP and captain. He continued his track & field career at Eastern Illinois University, where he graduated in 2012.

Coglianese brings extensive coaching experience back to Providence as he enters his 13th year coaching track & field. He previously served as an assistant football coach at Providence from 2012-2021 and an assistant girls track coach from 2015-2021. He later coached football and girls track at Lincoln-Way West before returning to Providence as an assistant with the boys track program in 2026.

Throughout his coaching career, Coglianese has helped develop 25 State Qualifiers, four State Medalists, nine Sectional Champions and 19 Conference Champions, while athletes under his guidance have broken 26 school records. He was also a member of the Providence coaching staff during the Celtics’ 2014 IHSA Class 7A Football State Championship season. For longtime Providence teacher and current Head Cross Country Coach Mark Coglianese Sr., seeing his son take the next step in his coaching career at their shared alma mater makes the moment even more special.

“It is a tremendous honor to turn over the reins to Coach Cogs Jr.,” Coach Coglianese Sr. said. “Not only has he been an outstanding football and track athlete while at PC, he has also been a very successful assistant track coach over the past several years. I know he will do an outstanding job and continue the great tradition that is Celtic Track & Field.”

Providence truly is a family affair for the Coglianeses. Mark Jr. is the son of Mark Sr. and Betty Coglianese. His wife, Stephanie Coglianese, serves as Providence’s Head Dance Coach, and together they are the proud parents of Rhett, 9, and Oakley, 7.

As he takes the baton and begins this new chapter, Coglianese brings with him not only an impressive coaching résumé, but a deep understanding of Providence Catholic, its traditions and what it means to be a Celtic.

Welcome home, Coach Cogs – and congratulations on this well-deserved new role!