Gaither track and cross country coach Ladd Baldwin, one of the area’s most successful coaches in both sports, is leaving the Cowboys after 12 years to accept a position at the new Steinbrenner High.

Baldwin recently informed his athletes and school administrators about his move to Steinbrenner, where next fall he will assume the jobs of head boys and girls cross country coach and head girls track coach. At Steinbrenner, he’ll join longtime Leto coach Bobby Ennis, who guided the Falcons to seven state cross country titles and will now head up the physical education department.

“It wasn’t an easy decision because I fee like I’ve built a lot here the last 12 years,” Baldwin said. “But then I look at Bobby and I think of the chance to open a new school and a new program and I think, ‘Why not?’ “

At Gaither, Baldwin has won five straight girls district track titles and his boys teams have also been multiple champions. He has also coached numerous girls cross country teams to district and regional crowns and guided the prep careers of all-state runners Amanda and Katie Quick.