ITHACA, N.Y. -- After nearly a decade of working with the Cornell men's track and field and cross country programs, assistant coach Robert Johnson has decided to step down from his full-time position at the end of the year and move to a volunteer role for the 2012-13 season.

Johnson arrived at Cornell in 2002 and proceeded to establish the Big Red as one of the top middle-distance and distance programs in the U.S. as his units were an integral part of the Big Red track and field's unprecedented run of team success.

“The last decade has been truly special,” Johnson said. “I'll forever be thankful for Coach [Nathan] Taylor for giving me a chance as an inexperienced 29-year-old and for all of the guys who have trusted me to guide them over the years. I really have tried to remember each and every day that I'm in charge of helping them realize their dreams.”

Johnson, who is engaged to be married, has agreed to stay on as a volunteer through much of the 2012-13 year to ease the transition to a new full-time coach. As a volunteer, he'll have more time to devote to LetsRun.com, the world's largest web site devoted to the coverage of elite track and field, in an Olympic year.

“Everyone associated with the Cornell running community will be very sorry to see Robert leave,” said head coach Nathan Taylor. “Cornell has had an incredible championship run, and Robert has been an integral contributor to our efforts to consistently be the top program in our region. He has given 10 fantastic years of service and will be sorely missed. We are also excited for him as he moves into the next phase of his personal and professional life and wish him nothing but the very best.”

All told, during the last nine-plus years, 16 of Johnson's athletes have crossed the finish line first at Heps, 32 have qualified for the NCAA regionals, and they have established a new school record 25 times.

“As a coach, you always are getting attached to the guys on the team, but next year's seniors are truly special as a group,” Johnson said. “I'm very excited about our prospects for the fall season and I know they and I will try to do everything we can to go out on top.”

The search for Johnson's replacement will begin immediately.