A release from MSU athletics confirmed that he made the decision Nov. 30.

"Today I am officially stepping away from my position as Director of Track & Field and Cross Country," Drenth said in the release. "Any success I have realized has been because of the people I was surrounded by. No one succeeds in a vacuum, consequently there are innumerable people to thank and I shudder to think of missing anyone."

Drenth was coach for the women's program's only NCAA Cross Country Championship in 2014. The same year he was named U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Women’s National Coach of the Year.

Prior to coaching at Michigan State, Drenth was at Arizona State from 1996-2004, Williams & Mary from 1990-95 and started his career in 1985 at his alma mater: Central Michigan University.

His tenure was highlighted by numerous successes, between the men's and women's programs in both Track and Field and Cross Country. Drenth coached 180 All-Americans across both sports.

Associate Head Coach Lisa Senakiewich will serve as interim director of track & field and cross country for the 2020-21 cross country and track and field seasons. Michigan State will conduct a national search for a head coach following the season, MSU athletics confirmed on Monday.

“My philosophy throughout my coaching tenure has been to help student-athletes become the best version of themselves as people, students, and athletes at my full capacity,” Drenth said. “From the beginning, I knew when I was unable to meet that ideal I would have to walk away rather than compromise that standard I was taught and believe in. I can say without any reservation that I have gone to work every day throughout my coaching career with those goals in mind."

Drenth was named Big Ten Coach of the Year six times, five times for women's cross country and once for his role with the 2015 outdoor track and field season.

“Although we were saddened to learn that Coach Drenth is retiring, today is an opportunity to celebrate all he has accomplished in collegiate athletics, and specifically all the success he has brought to Spartan cross country and track and field,” Michigan State Athletic Director Bill Beekman said in the release.

“The accolades are too numerous to mention all of them, but it’s obvious to see the impact he’s had elevating the Michigan State program, including winning a women’s cross country NCAA Championship in 2014. More importantly, he’s made a lasting impression in the individual lives of the student-athletes, who have experienced great success athletically, capturing individual championships and All-American honors, and academically, with more than 700 Academic All-Big Ten and 81 Academic All-America accolades. He will certainly be missed by his Spartan family, but we all wish Walt, his wife Cara, and the entire Drenth family happiness in their next stage of life.”

During the 2019 cross country season, Drenth was still head coach when the women's program finished in sixth place at the NCAA Championships.