Lech was named head coach of the Maine track and field and cross country programs in September 2006. This is his ninth season with the Black Bears, having served as head cross country coach and assistant coach for track and field previously.
He came to Maine after spending 15 years as a student and as a coach at Northeastern University. A 1979 graduate of Northeastern, Lech was a two-time All-American for the Huskies, placing second in the nation in 1978 and third in 1977 in the 800-meter run. He also competed in the 1980 Olympic Trials in the 800 meters. His time of 1:48.10 in the 800 meters in the 1977 New Englands still stands as a record. After graduation, he coached cross country and track at Newton North High School and Brandeis University before returning to his alma mater in 1987. He was involved with coaching the Northeastern cross country and track and field programs in various capacities from 1987 to 1998, including heading the men's cross country and track and field teams. As the head coach, he earned seven conference Coach of the Year honors between cross country and track and field and was named New England Intercollegiate Athletic Association Division I Coach of the Year for both indoor and outdoor track in 1991. He led the Huskies to ten Conference Championships and annually produced the leading contenders for the New England Championships.
Lech led the Maine men's country team to a second place finish at the America East Championships in 2000. The 2004 team won the conference championship. Both the men's and women's cross country teams were also honored in 2001 for having the highest grade point average of all the teams the previous year. Lech and Ballinger were honored as the 2004 Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year.
