Agreed. The state of Missouri has produced some of the finest high school distance runners in the country over the years. Those that decide to run somewhere other than Mizzou prosper (Quigley, Sisson, Frerichs, for example). Those who go to Mizzou falter (how many Foot Locker qualifiers have died on the vine at Mizzou this past decade?).
There is no tradition or expectation of getting to the next level in distance running at Mizzou. As long as the distance runners pull their weight in the classroom to keep the athletic department APR high then the old AD left the program alone. Perhaps the new AD will have higher athletic expectations? There is NO reason Mizzou shouldn't be at XC nationals every year, given the in-state talent (Mizzou football figured that out and is thriving in the SEC).
A big issue has been with the coaching carousel the past decade ... there have been a half dozen "new" coaches just this past decade. The local paper just announced this week that their assistance XC coach is leaving this month (nice timing?). All Halter cares about are throwers. The last place I would send my athletes or children would be Mizzou (for distance running).