Brosnan was a guest on the podcast on Tuesday. He told us he that he personally recorded the audio version of the book. This week only, if you join our Supporters Club, we'll send you a copy of the book and a free t-shirt as Rojo's college roommate Chris Lear is a co-author.
What rules did Brosnan break other than the COVID rules (which in the book it seems like he probably didn't actually break)? I read the book and didn't see anything, and I've been reading about NP for years on this website and don't recall anyone ever mentioning any rules they broke other than people accusing them of being successful because of transfers (were any of their star runners transfers?). They did jump a couple of fences to use closed facilities in the book and you get the sense that Brosnan would be very comfortable in the grey areas...
I get it if people don't like Brosnan because he's an a-hole. That still doesn't mean you can't learn anything from what he did at NP or admire that he was able to create what he did. Steve Jobs was a class A prick and yet someone whose story is worth reading.
Locally there is a ton of hate for one specific team. Even my daughter thought they were cocky until she got to know the girls and they are so nice. Awesome environment. I met the coach the other day and he's super cool and 100% dedicated to giving his kids the best, and totally willing to help other kids out in the area. My daughter has an open invite to drop in their workouts any time (and he knows she'll never transfer and loves our team's coach). Nothing but positive vibes there. And yet he's hated, because similar to Brosnan, he really believes in his kids and what he is building. I just don't understand the aversion to success that some people have.
People don’t dislike (hate is strong word) Brosnan because NP was successful. It’s because he wanted a big share of the credit. If he had been humble and let others sing his praises, he would have been the most popular HS coach in America and would probably now be a head coach at a good D-1 program.
I get that; he was obviously angling for something more. He mentions all the time in the book that his ambition was to coach pros and that he had not really been interested in coaching children and kind of fell into it. I think it comes across in the book that he's a little bit amazed that he was able to accomplish what he did with kids.
What I find unfortunate is that he didn't recognize that he'd found his calling and should have stayed with what he was doing. But I guess the jury is out on that depending upon whether he ever gets another chance to coach in college or if he picks up a successful pro team.
This did not get covered in the book; I believe his wife took over the team and I suspect he was there in whatever way he could be for them but I agree that it is a little bit sad that he didn't finish it out with them. Mixed feelings on this, you have to take opportunities when they come, but sometimes passing on them is the right thing to do...
This did not get covered in the book; I believe his wife took over the team and I suspect he was there in whatever way he could be for them but I agree that it is a little bit sad that he didn't finish it out with them. Mixed feelings on this, you have to take opportunities when they come, but sometimes passing on them is the right thing to do...
would be difficult to pass up the opportunity to coach at UCLA. D1 jobs, even at weak running schools like UCLA, don't come every day.
I personally know two people who already picked up the book. One bought it at Barnes & Noble, and another ordered 15 copies online for his staff. So it’s definitely moving through multiple outlets, not just Amazon. And on Amazon it’s been hitting best seller status, though the rank shifts hourly. I think you’re forgetting that. Brosnan himself has even been reposting people on Instagram who are sharing positive reviews, which just shows how much the book is connecting with readers. He most of posted a dozen random people in the last 24 hours.
I personally know two people who already picked up the book. One bought it at Barnes & Noble, and another ordered 15 copies online for his staff. So it’s definitely moving through multiple outlets, not just Amazon. And on Amazon it’s been hitting best seller status, though the rank shifts hourly. I think you’re forgetting that. Brosnan himself has even been reposting people on Instagram who are sharing positive reviews, which just shows how much the book is connecting with readers. He most of posted a dozen random people in the last 24 hours.
The book is selling like hotcakes. It's exciting to see.
I personally know two people who already picked up the book. One bought it at Barnes & Noble, and another ordered 15 copies online for his staff. So it’s definitely moving through multiple outlets, not just Amazon. And on Amazon it’s been hitting best seller status, though the rank shifts hourly. I think you’re forgetting that. Brosnan himself has even been reposting people on Instagram who are sharing positive reviews, which just shows how much the book is connecting with readers. He most of posted a dozen random people in the last 24 hours.
The book is selling like hotcakes. It's exciting to see.
I’ve got a 22 hour drive to do this coming Friday, and am going to purchase Brosnan’s new book on audio (releases tomorrow). Obviously a very controversial and polarizing figure here amongst the shining stars that are Letsrun, but undeniably nurtured along some outstanding athletes from two different families. Newbury was a juggernaut here in CA for a few years, and I’m looking forward to perhaps getting a little inside baseball.
Anyone else curious as well?
Update: almost 9 hours into the trip, and I’m on “track 8”. I muddled through the first couple of tracks that explained Brosnan’s background, but did pick out some interesting tidbits. For one, I had no idea he had been coached by Steve Scott for a brief period there. Also ran under Vigil/Martin, and spent some time around Salazar in Beaverton. One thing is for sure, the dude is driven. I’ve also liked the mini commentary by Nico and Jace (I’ll butcher his last name) at various spots in the audiobook. I’m just now to the point where Nico is getting past his growth injury woes (5’1 as a frosh, apparently) and going into his junior year. Sahlman has just shown up as a freshman and went the wrong way in a jv xc race. Another takeaway is that Nico knew what he wanted from the beginning- kind of a marriage between a very focused young kid and a coach that is equally as intense. The kid was all in from day one- aquajogging in a wetsuit in the winter during a growth related injury. One thing I found funny was that Nico said he probably wouldn’t have continued running after his sophomore year had Brosnan not been his coach- he would have possibly opted for tennis instead! Interesting also to hear Strangio’s name mentioned, as he was beating up on Nico their soph year in CA. A little tip of the hat by Brosnsn to someone of my era, CCMurray (socalcush), regarding coaching/dealing with hs kids. Raced him on numerous occasions- think I last saw him in Eugene at Pre sometime in the early/mid 90’s. Anyway, we’re pushing on to just past Amarillo before we have a small rest, but OKC is also in play.
I’ll do my best to give you another update at some point regarding my thoughts on the book.
Cool update man. I also listened to it, and it was really different than I thought it would be. It’s a true deep dive into the how and why of Sean Brosnan as a coach, and I really liked how his top athletes such as Nico, Lex, Leo, Aaron, Colin, Jace, and Daniel (maybe I’m missing someone!) all contributed their own writing in the book and have direct perspectives about being part of this historic program. That was super creative and really worked. Since I only listened to it, I’m definitely going to read it too. Being strapped for time, the audiobook my best option. I also agree with your assessment — there are lots of things in this book I never knew, and I thought I was a Newbury Park fan! It’s definitely an A+ listen / read
I personally know two people who already picked up the book. One bought it at Barnes & Noble, and another ordered 15 copies online for his staff. So it’s definitely moving through multiple outlets, not just Amazon. And on Amazon it’s been hitting best seller status, though the rank shifts hourly. I think you’re forgetting that. Brosnan himself has even been reposting people on Instagram who are sharing positive reviews, which just shows how much the book is connecting with readers. He most of posted a dozen random people in the last 24 hours.
The book is selling like hotcakes. It's exciting to see.
Every positive review coming from the myriad of sean handles.
I live nowhere near Brosnan, but I still wanted to give the book a positive review. I pre-ordered it, got it this week, and already finished reading it. Definitely worth it!
Yes that’s what happens. Local coaches are the worst and jealous. The new guy comes to town and makes them look bad
The brothers came to town. Unless there’s some shady recruiting going on, HS coaches have no problem accepting that some other teams have more talent. It’s just the nature of sports.