Author of Books: Becoming Varsity & Building Championship Cross Country Programs, Stream My Album Cross Country Anthology, Head XC/Track Coach Herriman HS
Cole Hocker was just a great example of how important mindset is. You can’t go in afraid of anyone. He had zero fear and ran his race plan to perfection. Total Terminator Mode!!!
Update on Austin and Jacob:
Both boys are stable and improving. We ask for continued prayers for their release from the hospital and a full recovery. Thank you to all who prayed for these amazing young men! 🙏
Coaches,
People will criticize you. They will belittle you. They will make things up about you. They will lie about you.
Your job is to focus on your athletes and give them all you've got. The rest takes care of itself.
Everyday our athletes are auditioning for our top 7 in XC. I’m always amazed at how many take themselves out of the running simply by seeing opportunity as work.
The latest on both boys is that they are improving and may leave the hospital today or tomorrow. Truly the power of prayer and support from the running community! We appreciate you all very much! :)
Coaches,
It doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t happen when you want it to. It is a daily grind full of mistakes and fixes. Want it more than everyone else, be patient, follow your plan. Build. Challenge. Fail. Improve. Try again. There’s no magic, just a lot grit.
Want to know how I built Great Oak into one of the best cross country programs in the nation? Order your copy of my book, Building Championship Cross Country Programs today on Amazon!
If I were a college athlete in California right now I would be looking at my transfer options to a state that will be opening up their schools and athletics in the fall. I would not pay for online classes!!!
Coaches, Be careful getting caught up with what Freak A or Freak B are doing for workouts. Their coaches could give them 3 miles a day and they would still win. Focus on developing workouts that develop your 5-10 on your team. If you make them better, then you coaching!
One of the hardest things is discerning the difference between athletes that look the part, and ones that don’t but have tremendous heart. Find your fighters. Find the ones that will lay it on the line for their teammates every time out.
#nextbig3
Never steal from your child their adversity. Let them go through it. Guide them. Support them. Let them learn how to handle life. When they get older they will look back at the things they overcame and recognize their growth. It is ok for them to hurt.
All 4 girls make state in the 1600 in 4:46, 4:47, 4:49, and 4:51!
Second time in US History that one team has had 3 girls under 4:50 in the same race of the 1600. Great Oak 2014 the first to do so also at the Masters Meet with Dorris, Collins, and Helbig.
On to State!
Athletes:
Want to have a great XC season this year? Cut out processed sugar and white flour. Replace with fruit and vegetables or a smoothie made with a Nutribullet.
One of the biggest mistakes I see coaches make is letting other people (Admin, Parents, Naysayers, etc.) have a say in their vision. Your job is to make that vision happen, and to get around every obstacle those who lack vision or solutions put in your way. Find a way!
This time of year I get a lot of questions from peers on how to take it to the next level. The truth is it takes a lot of time, focus, and dedication. Many quit before they get there. In my 19 years as a head coach I had 0 state titles in the first 9 years, and 13 in the last 10.
100% grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such amazing seniors! Thank you for your hard work, positive attitudes, and dedication over the past 4 years. Heartbroken I don’t get to watch you race in a GO uniform again, but am very proud of each one of you!
#WD
Extremely excited to watch one of the nicest, smartest, most humble kids I’ve had the privilege of coaching sign with such a great school! Aric ran 18:49 as a frosh at Woodbridge, 14:26 as a senior! Hard work and dedication pay off. So proud of you Aric!
Another successful State Meet for the Wolfpack! Had a few kids down with illness but everyone battled and I’m very proud of our program today! Hats off to Buchanan on a great victory! On to NXN!
Honored to be named to
@MaxPreps
Top 100 High School Coaches in the Country for all sports! We had 14 State XC Titles last decade! Amazing job Wolfpack!
It doesn’t matter what part of the country you are from, your role is the same as a head coach. Make everyone you come in contact with better. Athletes, coaches, parents, admin, media...challenge them all to get to your level.
The person in your life with impossible standards that expects more from you than anyone else, is the person that is helping you the most long term. Embrace expectation.
As long as media outlets keep promoting anorexic athletes who are rewarded by the nature of the sport for being skinny, we will continue to see coaches and athletes pushing the boundaries of health for women in running. The media must do better!
Our distance kids put on a masterful performance at winter state this year. You probably didn’t hear about it because none of the media companies decided to cover it. Trust me though, we did well. I’d post a link to articles, but there weren’t any.
I wonder...
When you are in charge you will find some people give you their time, some give you their heart, and some give you their soul. It is your job to recognize the difference and SUPPORT them accordingly.
The best anchor a coach could ever ask for and one of the nicest kids I've ever met! So proud of
@Ladykillacarlos
for his amazing 4 year career at GO and his bright future as a Florida Gator! 🐊
Amazing to see our political rights in action! I guess this signals that we are no longer social distancing. Time to allow athletics to resume, you can’t have one and not allow the other!
@CIFState
@CIFSS