Coach Mike Sample began his coaching career at Mercer High school in 1988 as an assistant track and field coach while still in college at Slippery Rock University.  After two years at Mercer he  became the head track and field coach at the George Junior Republic  until 1997.  In 1997 he became the assistant cross country coach at Grove City and an assistant track and field coach there as well.  In 1999 Coach Sample became the head coach of both programs.  He served as the head track and field coach until 2005 when he resigned to concentrate on building a cross country program and help his wife Betsy raise their two young children Kayla and Jared.

Coach Sample started his running career at his alma mater Grove City where he was one of only two middle school runners.  He lettered for four years in both track and field and cross country and also established a school record in the 800 meters (1:59).  He was part of two school record relay teams in both the 3200 meter relay (8:05) and the 1600 metere relay (3:29).

Entering his 18th season as the Grove City Cross Country Coach, Coach Sample has won 14 boys regional titles and 7 regional titles for the girls team.  His boys teams have won 8 District 10 titles.  At the state level he has had several top 10 finishes and two state runner-up titles (2012, 2014).

Coach Sample does not know what his overall record is as he has not payed much attention to those details.  All we can say is there are a lot more W's than there are L's.