Going to be a steep learning curve for Metcalf to learn training in Austin heat year-round. It's not like the Pacific Northwest at all.. and one of the reasons UT has become a mid-Distance powerhouse and not XC/long distance.
I actually think it is a good hire. The guy was very successful at Washington but he lost perspective. He has probably reigned his intensity it in a bit.
I went to a school that was a regional rival with UW back during his heyday that recruited largely from the same talent pool as his. He was great at landing many top HS runners (especially in state) only then burn them into the ground by the end of the sophomore year. The joke was that UW was "where good runners go to die" and that they could expect a good indoor season, then disappear.
Yes, he did win the 2008 national title, but I want to point out that he did so with a team of freshmen and sophomores. A dynasty was expected since the team was so young, but virtually all the women on that team got worse or quit afterwards before they graduated.
He was a good recruiter and lucked out since the Washington HS scene was near the top nationally, but his results weren't good considering what he was working with.
I actually think it is a good hire. The guy was very successful at Washington but he lost perspective. He has probably reigned his intensity it in a bit.
I went to a school that was a regional rival with UW back during his heyday that recruited largely from the same talent pool as his. He was great at landing many top HS runners (especially in state) only then burn them into the ground by the end of the sophomore year. The joke was that UW was "where good runners go to die" and that they could expect a good indoor season, then disappear.
Yes, he did win the 2008 national title, but I want to point out that he did so with a team of freshmen and sophomores. A dynasty was expected since the team was so young, but virtually all the women on that team got worse or quit afterwards before they graduated.
He was a good recruiter and lucked out since the Washington HS scene was near the top nationally, but his results weren't good considering what he was working with.
I had a friend who went there. She was one of the top runners in the state. Super talented and had only been running seriously for 2.5 years.
She did one season of XC and quit for her own health.
Always amazed me that Amy Eloise-Neal survived and is thriving now.
Great hire! I am expecting Texas distance guys to become a distance powerhouse program in the near future. Texas is already known for great sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throws...it's going to be amazing to see Texas distance guys kicking butt at nattys. It's an exciting day for Texas.
This is a horrible hire - just read the article and follow the clues!!!! Talk to anyone in the sport and that will tell you all Greg cares about is himself. Shame on Texas. Shame on Flo. Hires like this is horrible for the sport. People on these message boards love to tear down women and POC but then in this same thread are praising a dude who got FIRED for being inappropriate. Come on. Be better people. There shouldn't be second chances for stuff like this - not when you are working with young student athletes.
This is a horrible hire - just read the article and follow the clues!!!! Talk to anyone in the sport and that will tell you all Greg cares about is himself. Shame on Texas. Shame on Flo. Hires like this is horrible for the sport. People on these message boards love to tear down women and POC but then in this same thread are praising a dude who got FIRED for being inappropriate. Come on. Be better people. There shouldn't be second chances for stuff like this - not when you are working with young student athletes.
Yea like let's not give someone a second chance. They do something questionable and they should burn in hell for the rest of their god forsaken useless lives. If you're not perfect I do NOT want you to give me a running plan.
Did anyone consider that Flo will not allow any abuse on his team. Unlike at UW Metcalf is an assistant and not director he has to answer to the headcoach and Flo has a proclivity for not tolerating non sense
Unless he physically assaulted someone, was arrested and found guilty or sued in civil court and a judge agreed with the accusers, he hasn't done anything illegal. He hurt people's feelings when it comes down to it. That's it. Nothing more. There is no way of knowing what or how much was true. He was fired, punished, humiliated and lost probably around $1.0million in total salary. I'd say that is punishment enough.
This is not a situation like the Huntington College coach that abducted a girl. Or the Arizona coach that assaulted the thrower. Not every situation is the same. I can think of a couple of other prominent coaches that I can see coming back to coaching after having been out for similar reasons. It all depends on their character and what they have done in the meantime.
Hires like this is horrible for the sport. People on these message boards love to tear down women and POC but then in this same thread are praising a dude who got FIRED for being inappropriate.
I don't think that statement is fair, and insinuates conduct similar to Hadsell at Toledo. I don't know Metcalf, and have interacted with him only a few times so I can't speak on his character. But, I listened to the "More Than a Game" story and read into it when all this happened. He was never accused of inappropriate relationships. It sounded like he was fired for pushing his women too hard. His demeanor and his training were intense to a level that things came unraveled at the end of his tenure. Bad coaching...maybe. Inappropriate...not really.
As I said before, this is a new situation. He is only coaching men (like it or not, coaching women is different in more ways than one). He will also be under an administration that emphasizes high level performance and professionalism in an era where he can recruit and target developed elites from the portal or internationally, and not worry about developing men who can't run sub 25:00. I think it is a good fit. Maybe the South Central will become more deserving of that second automatic bid in the near future. Time will tell.
Hires like this is horrible for the sport. People on these message boards love to tear down women and POC but then in this same thread are praising a dude who got FIRED for being inappropriate.
I don't think that statement is fair, and insinuates conduct similar to Hadsell at Toledo. I don't know Metcalf, and have interacted with him only a few times so I can't speak on his character. But, I listened to the "More Than a Game" story and read into it when all this happened. He was never accused of inappropriate relationships. It sounded like he was fired for pushing his women too hard. His demeanor and his training were intense to a level that things came unraveled at the end of his tenure. Bad coaching...maybe. Inappropriate...not really.
As I said before, this is a new situation. He is only coaching men (like it or not, coaching women is different in more ways than one). He will also be under an administration that emphasizes high level performance and professionalism in an era where he can recruit and target developed elites from the portal or internationally, and not worry about developing men who can't run sub 25:00. I think it is a good fit. Maybe the South Central will become more deserving of that second automatic bid in the near future. Time will tell.
Exactly what I am saying. End of the day Metcalf did not date any of his athletes and even if he had, it is not illegal. He was accused of being too harsh and maybe some of the drinking/partying stuff but that is nothing career ending. Neither of these guys have done anything worth burning in Hell over but with Metcalf, he is allowed to have another chance. Will he be successful? No idea. I think he is going to be much more guarded in his rhetoric and approach which is what it means to learn from his mistakes and be a better person. I would love to even see Hadsell get another chance although I don't think he would want to deviate from his new life.
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