TrueBut wrote:
This is kind of a pointless argument. What Alberto has done with Centro, Rupp, Hassan and Farah hasn’t been done with any BTC athletes, besides Evan.
If you want to say who coaches American athletes better, which it sounds like this has become, how do you compare a coach who has 4 Americans athletes to one who has 15ish? Alberto’s 4 are great (Centro, Rupp, Hasay, Murphy). Jerry has 4 great ones (Jager, Shalane, Courtney, Shelby). They both have great former American Athletes.
I guess what I’m saying is this is a pointless argument when comparing a coach who only coaches Americans to one who coaches Top International Stars...
great point. Also worth noting that most of Jerry's really successful runners are ridiculously talented and likely would be running fast no matter who was coaching them. Just look at Houlihan, for example. You can give Jerry some credit for her insane kick at the end of races, but for the most part that's just natural ability right there.
Shalane is easily one of the toughest runners out there, men or women. Mentally strong, tremendous amount guts. Courtney is the collegiate record holder (before being coached by Jerry), so it's not a total surprise that the best collegiate steeplechaser goes on to break an american record.
There are only a couple athletes that Jerry's coached where I've thought "Wow, that guy/girl has no business running that fast, Jerry's a genius." On the other hand, Galen Rupp getting a silver medal in the olympic 10k against such a stacked field was clearly one of those moments. Same with Centro in the 1500 in 2016.