Smith is gonna have one heck of a roster of athletes. Heck of a hire by Nike because people obviously want to train with him in Flagstaff
I know he is at the twilight of his career but I’m still looking for what Mike smith has done for Galen rupps career. Seems like Rupp has had little to no success under smith. This is taking into account his injuries and the fact that again he is at the twilight of his career. Would like to see at least 1 more 2:06 or better marathon. He’s younger than kipchoge by a few years at least
He went from not being able to run to winning the trials in 2021(?) It sucks but Galen was trained by the same coach for 20+ years and not at all surprising he might be done after such a long and good career.
Nike set up a new doping program! Finally, I thought our track guys were going to start struggling. This is great news for American track fans who complain about other countries cheating.
Milt seems more concerns with athlete’s long term development than any other coach I’ve ever heard. Showed in Fisher’s jumps with BTC, hopefully it will with Strand and Wolfe
Anyone else slightly disappointed by this? I don't like the idea of Wolf and Nico training together, sort of ruins a lot of upcoming USA's etc knowing they train together. Would be cool for all the big hitters; Nico, Parker, Blanks to all be separate then just dog it out at races. Strand being there worries me, think he has the potential to be one of the greatest milers of all time, but not sure if Mike Smith has the group for that (I hope I'm wrong).
Anyone else slightly disappointed by this? I don't like the idea of Wolf and Nico training together, sort of ruins a lot of upcoming USA's etc knowing they train together. Would be cool for all the big hitters; Nico, Parker, Blanks to all be separate then just dog it out at races. Strand being there worries me, think he has the potential to be one of the greatest milers of all time, but not sure if Mike Smith has the group for that (I hope I'm wrong).
this move probably doesn't happen if Nico is a Nike guy
Anyone heard anything about Liam Murphy signing anywhere? Would be a shame if he misses out on a pro career because of his poor race at ncaas.
I mean at the very least Under Armour/Hoka should take a swing you’d think?
Murphy will definitely have missed out on quite a bit of money by bombing NCAAs but if no brand signs him its their loss. He's easily the best value investment on the market right now. UA and Hoka make sense, Brooks Beasts could sign him too - though I hope for his sake he doesn't go there. UA Baltimore was doing very well a season or two ago. Could be a good fit.
idk if you suck and blow the right person it can move you up in the world
Murphy didn't suck though, and he made the OT final last year despite a subpar NCAAs. I'd bet it's more likely he's trying to prove his worth at USAs in a few weeks before going pro. Probably can't hurt him, and if he runs well he may increase his value a ton.
Based on absolutely nothing, I think Murphy goes to UA Baltimore (where Villanova alum Casey Comber trains) and Teffra goes to UA Dark Sky. I also think some combo of Bob Liking/Matt Strangio/Drew Bosley end up with NAZ. Maybe Cole Sprout could join NAZ, he has more or less plateaued since 2022 but if he wants to go pro, he could work the angle that decreased academic stress = increased performance. Messaoudi feels like Beasts or OAC
I'm a lot less familiar with the women's side but smart money says NB Boston will be in the market for new athletes, maybe Scrimgeour from Gtown or the Providence gals. Curious about what will happen with Oregon's Maddy Elmore, who appeared to have a major breakthrough last year and seems to have struggled with injuries for a while
Exactly what I’ve been telling others who ask about Liam Murphy signing. Amongst elite talent, he’s really quite average, and he has recently proven that he lacks consistency. It’s hard to get excited about him, when there’s SO MUCH talent at the elite level.
Based on absolutely nothing, I think Murphy goes to UA Baltimore (where Villanova alum Casey Comber trains) and Teffra goes to UA Dark Sky. I also think some combo of Bob Liking/Matt Strangio/Drew Bosley end up with NAZ. Maybe Cole Sprout could join NAZ, he has more or less plateaued since 2022 but if he wants to go pro, he could work the angle that decreased academic stress = increased performance. Messaoudi feels like Beasts or OAC
I'm a lot less familiar with the women's side but smart money says NB Boston will be in the market for new athletes, maybe Scrimgeour from Gtown or the Providence gals. Curious about what will happen with Oregon's Maddy Elmore, who appeared to have a major breakthrough last year and seems to have struggled with injuries for a while
Bosley is with Adidas and one of the athletes grandfathered in by Smith.
Olin Hacker/Jackson Sharpe are with NAZ Elite, wouldn't surprise me if fellow Wisconsin alum Liking winds up there. although it seems like NAZ Elite has been cutting back on signing athletes, not sure if they have the $$$ to add.
I am sure that Murphy will sign and anyone knowledgeable knows he has a bright future. Klecker never won an NCAA title, yet he ran 12:54. Murphy has a lot more closing speed and hence, upside. There are no guarantees. The American middle distance teams will be very difficult to make with so much talent out there. But I expect he will make some.