(Tennessee Athletics & GoVolsXtra.com) -- J.J. Clark has been named director of track and field for a combined men’s and women’s program at the University of Tennessee, a UT spokesman confirmed.

Clark, who has coached UT’s women to two indoor national championships, moves to head both programs in the wake of last month’s retirement by men’s coach Bill Webb.

Tennessee thus becomes the ninth SEC school to combine men and women into one program, leaving only Arkansas and Alabama with separate coaching staffs.

"It’s a great honor to be entrusted with the combined men’s and women’s track and field program at the University of Tennessee,’’ Clark said.

"I have great respect for the tradition of the men’s program at UT. I recognize the responsibility associated with leading this program. We intend to compete for championships.’’

The merger of a sport is unprecedented at Tennessee, one of only a couple of schools to maintain separate athletic departments for men and women. Several administrative areas have been combined in the past several years.

"The philosophical decision to combine the programs was challenging,’’ men’s athletic director Mike Hamilton said, "but we believe it is in the best interests of our track and field program moving forward.

"It does not diminish in any way the great tradition of the men’s program. This will help us maximize our resources for the betterment of the overall program.

"We felt like we had very established leadership here, especially with J.J. and the great work he has done as the Lady Vols’ head coach.’’

Hamilton said he hoped George Watts, who was acting as interim head coach, would remain in a "significant role" on the new staff.

Clark arrived in 2002 when the Lady Vols’ program was at an all-time low. His rebuilding work was swift.

UT’s women won NCAA national indoor championships in 2005 and 2009. The Lady Vols won SEC indoor titles in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Clark’s women won three consecutive SEC cross-country titles from 2003-2005.