I actually have been impressed that Coogan has kept his group together for so long. All athletes and groups/teams have a trajectory that leads to this end. Athletes improve, then level off and they look for different solutions. New athletes come in disrupt chemistry etc.
I actually have been impressed that Coogan has kept his group together for so long. All athletes and groups/teams have a trajectory that leads to this end. Athletes improve, then level off and they look for different solutions. New athletes come in disrupt chemistry etc.
the only person I remember leaving before this was cory and don't know the reason other than I guess she was stagnant and thought she needed a training change
It sounds like Maclean and Mackey didn't get along. They are gone. Not a big deal. They had way overachieved with the group. I certainly wouldn't rule out a reunion at a later date with Maclean- remember it happened with Jenny Simpson and Wetmore (but not with Emma Coburn). Valby is injured and an odd fit for Boston anyway.
Time for Coogan to bring in some new blood and get it going again. Have you ever looked at an NFL roster? Every 5 years save for maybe the QB, it's almost a totally different team.
St. Pierre is their HOF QB but she's out this year as she just gave birth. You can always bring in a RB on WR via the draft.
And it's ironic that everyone is on here ripping Boston as a terrible place to base a team. Do we not remember that half of Bowerman quit the team when it relocated to Eugene as they liked being in a legit city (Portland) while single and in their 20s? Yes the winters aren't great but I'm sure they have every treadmill known to man and a $70 million indoor track for use whenever they want it. Plus there's a thing called altitude training camps.
It sounds like Maclean and Mackey didn't get along. They are gone. Not a big deal. They had way overachieved with the group. I certainly wouldn't rule out a reunion at a later date with Maclean- remember it happened with Jenny Simpson and Wetmore (but not with Emma Coburn). Valby is injured and an odd fit for Boston anyway.
Time for Coogan to bring in some new blood and get it going again. Have you ever looked at an NFL roster? Every 5 years save for maybe the QB, it's almost a totally different team.
St. Pierre is their HOF QB but she's out this year as she just gave birth. You can always bring in a RB on WR via the draft.
And it's ironic that everyone is on here ripping Boston as a terrible place to base a team. Do we not remember that half of Bowerman quit the team when it relocated to Eugene as they liked being in a legit city (Portland) while single and in their 20s? Yes the winters aren't great but I'm sure they have every treadmill known to man and a $70 million indoor track for use whenever they want it. Plus there's a thing called altitude training camps.
Drama and palace intrigue is never overblown. Graham Blanks is getting out of Boston, even though he will remain coached by Gibby. It may be a major city but unless you "have to be there", why would you want to spend winters in the NE? The allure of NB Boston is that it has taken non-stars and made tough as nail runners, St Pierre excluded. For it to deteriorate from what appears to be one day to the next is of interest. Valby went for the biggest check but it made no sense adding her to their group and it made no sense for her to join them. And you can't compare a pro running team to an NFL roster. By your rationale Valby is their Caleb Williams, a dumb rookie with potential, and now they have to wait for the poise to kick in. Is Valby elite?
Time for Coogan to bring in some new blood and get it going again. Have you ever looked at an NFL roster? Every 5 years save for maybe the QB, it's almost a totally different team.
Yeah but the coach is also different every 5 years. Your star QB is out for the season for "personal reasons," your number one draft pick is injured for the season, and your overachieving journeymen RB and WR are holding out for trades = your team sucks and the coach gets fired.
I suspect the beef started in Eugene when ESP and Mackay made the Olympic team last year but MacLean didn’t. That had to spark some jealousy and bitterness on MacLean’s side coupled with inflated ego and wanting to be treated as the big star on Mackay’s side.
I think it was fine when ESP was there because everyone deferred to her as the undisputed #1. But with ESP on maternity leave, I suspect MacClean wanted the alpha status treatment, and I bet Mackay didn’t like that.
If my suspicions are correct, then I bet Valby was turned off by Mackay and MacLean bickering with each other and decided to get out of that toxic environment. Valby seems like the super chill type who doesn’t like drama and conflict.
It sounds like Maclean and Mackey didn't get along. They are gone. Not a big deal. They had way overachieved with the group. I certainly wouldn't rule out a reunion at a later date with Maclean- remember it happened with Jenny Simpson and Wetmore (but not with Emma Coburn). Valby is injured and an odd fit for Boston anyway.
Time for Coogan to bring in some new blood and get it going again. Have you ever looked at an NFL roster? Every 5 years save for maybe the QB, it's almost a totally different team.
St. Pierre is their HOF QB but she's out this year as she just gave birth. You can always bring in a RB on WR via the draft.
And it's ironic that everyone is on here ripping Boston as a terrible place to base a team. Do we not remember that half of Bowerman quit the team when it relocated to Eugene as they liked being in a legit city (Portland) while single and in their 20s? Yes the winters aren't great but I'm sure they have every treadmill known to man and a $70 million indoor track for use whenever they want it. Plus there's a thing called altitude training camps.
I brought up location as an issue only after their two newest members (Valby and Blanks) both left Boston almost immediately. Blanks even said in a recent interview he didn't like it and would rather train in Georgia. if a $70 million indoor facility can't keep them in Beantown I'm other sure what could.
FWIW, it seems like Valby and McKay hit it off really well. They comment back and forth on social media and such. I haven’t seen that as much with Heather. Maybe she felt like a third wheel?
Hey everyone, just to update you - Parker, Heather, and Emily have all left the group. The rumor is that Elle might be next and that she won't be coming back. So, at the moment, no one is left in the group.
Seems like a BTC and we all know what happen there
Hey, thanks for the update. It sounds like the group is going through some significant changes with Parker, Heather, and Emily leaving. If Elle is also considering leaving, it might really affect the group's dynamics. It does feel reminiscent of the BTC situation, which didn't end well. Let's keep an eye on how things develop!
I brought up location as an issue only after their two newest members (Valby and Blanks) both left Boston almost immediately. Blanks even said in a recent interview he didn't like it and would rather train in Georgia. if a $70 million indoor facility can't keep them in Beantown I'm other sure what could.
Is Blanks changing coaches too?, or just training in GA?
Hey everyone, just to update you - Parker, Heather, and Emily have all left the group. The rumor is that Elle might be next and that she won't be coming back. So, at the moment, no one is left in the group.
Seems like a BTC and we all know what happen there
I'm not sure it's the same as BTC.
I was told by a really good source the other day it was petty competitiveness and personality clashes that spiralled out of control. And Coogan is a very good running coach - he's not an HR manager/character coach.
Stuff like who leads what reps at what pace. An athlete running "too fast" at the end of a session of 800's making an athlete coming back from injury not quite as fit "feel bad". It's funny because on the other thread I said that I thought this was exactly what it would be and some people got upset about that - within an hour I had a text from someone saying this was exactly what it was. Valby comes in to the group straight from college and is making at least 2-3x what Mackey and McLean are making - there is no way there isn't friction.
As a brand it/pro group it isn't easy, especially if you have you have the athletes training together, especially on the track. Because then it really needs to be a team exercise but running ultimately is a single, selfish sport. If you had a business and you were assembling a team, you wouldn't choose people with the exact same personalty types and strengths to work together, also knowing they need to compete together. But as New Balance, like other groups, you want to have the best and highest profile athletes and as Coogan, you just get told who you are coaching.
Human nature is why NB Boston is teetering right now.
Super simple. You have multi-time all-american on a national level team (Florida) vs. two former mid-major D1 all-americans, but not in podium position to gain notoriety. This is no different than a Tom Brady vs. Ryan 'Cryin' Leaf scenario. You may get a big pay day to start as a NFL 1st rounder vs. 7th rounder, but it is all about what you do several years into the craft. Mackay (former Binghamton) and MacLean (former Umass Amherst) are amazing and exceptional for fine tuning their craft on their own schedule rather than chasing immediate glory out of HS. Valby is a self-made super-star who was not reigned back by her coaches or herself at Florida. Each of these spectacular women have their own story to be celebrated. Personally, I like seeing the Mackay and MacLean stories to prove you don't need to be a dominant D1 runner (or HS) to make a name for yourself at the right time. Ask any pro to write a letter to their younger self. All would preach patience, and enjoy each moment.
It sounds like Maclean and Mackey didn't get along. They are gone. Not a big deal. They had way overachieved with the group. I certainly wouldn't rule out a reunion at a later date with Maclean- remember it happened with Jenny Simpson and Wetmore (but not with Emma Coburn). Valby is injured and an odd fit for Boston anyway.
Time for Coogan to bring in some new blood and get it going again. Have you ever looked at an NFL roster? Every 5 years save for maybe the QB, it's almost a totally different team.
St. Pierre is their HOF QB but she's out this year as she just gave birth. You can always bring in a RB on WR via the draft.
And it's ironic that everyone is on here ripping Boston as a terrible place to base a team. Do we not remember that half of Bowerman quit the team when it relocated to Eugene as they liked being in a legit city (Portland) while single and in their 20s? Yes the winters aren't great but I'm sure they have every treadmill known to man and a $70 million indoor track for use whenever they want it. Plus there's a thing called altitude training camps.
Hey everyone, just to update you - Parker, Heather, and Emily have all left the group. The rumor is that Elle might be next and that she won't be coming back. So, at the moment, no one is left in the group.
Seems like a BTC and we all know what happen there
I'm not sure it's the same as BTC.
I was told by a really good source the other day it was petty competitiveness and personality clashes that spiralled out of control. And Coogan is a very good running coach - he's not an HR manager/character coach.
Stuff like who leads what reps at what pace. An athlete running "too fast" at the end of a session of 800's making an athlete coming back from injury not quite as fit "feel bad". It's funny because on the other thread I said that I thought this was exactly what it would be and some people got upset about that - within an hour I had a text from someone saying this was exactly what it was. Valby comes in to the group straight from college and is making at least 2-3x what Mackey and McLean are making - there is no way there isn't friction.
As a brand it/pro group it isn't easy, especially if you have you have the athletes training together, especially on the track. Because then it really needs to be a team exercise but running ultimately is a single, selfish sport. If you had a business and you were assembling a team, you wouldn't choose people with the exact same personalty types and strengths to work together, also knowing they need to compete together. But as New Balance, like other groups, you want to have the best and highest profile athletes and as Coogan, you just get told who you are coaching.
Human nature is why NB Boston is teetering right now.
Just as a general statement, egos ruin a lot of things.
Coaches of women need to learn to manage interpersonal drama. It might mean assigning someone to lead intervals, breaking up groups, designating the pacer for long runs, etc. Those who really want to just run fast will be able to deal with the drama regardless of coach, but NB Boston had some individuals who want to train their way - individuals who were used to being top shark in little seas, but are entering the ocean for the first time.