When it came to Princeton High School track and field and cross country teams for parts of four decades, there was one name synonymous to them all — Gary Coates. He spent 24 years coaching boys’ cross country at Princeton High School and another 17 more split between the boys’ and girls’ teams.

On Jan. 12, he will take his place in the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame. I can’t think of a coach more deserving than Gary Coates. I only have one question: what took it so long?

Neither can Bureau Valley coach Dale Donner, who nominated Coates for the honor. He said it’s because of Coates that track and cross country are so strong in our area, noting Coates has stayed in the loop since he’s retired and was always willing to help area track coaches in any way,