2018 College Track & Field Open Coaching Positions Discussion

Fartmonger wrote:

Wabash coach was fired.

Where did you hear that?

I would think that would be tailor-made for Gavin Kennedy.

It would be his job if he wants it.[/quote]

Gavin won't leave Wisco or the Big Ten

Kennedy use to be the coach at Ole Miss (actually responsible for putting some pieces in place for VanHoy) and left that head coaching job for an assistant position at Wisconsin. Although it makes sense for him to want to go back to Iona, he probably won’t leave Mick, he will wait him out for that big pay day.

Money talks wrote:

Kennedy use to be the coach at Ole Miss (actually responsible for putting some pieces in place for VanHoy) and left that head coaching job for an assistant position at Wisconsin. Although it makes sense for him to want to go back to Iona, he probably won’t leave Mick, he will wait him out for that big pay day.

“Left.” Lol.

Mr. Euphemism wrote:

Money talks wrote:

Kennedy use to be the coach at Ole Miss (actually responsible for putting some pieces in place for VanHoy) and left that head coaching job for an assistant position at Wisconsin. Although it makes sense for him to want to go back to Iona, he probably won’t leave Mick, he will wait him out for that big pay day.

“Left.” Lol.

What’s funny about that?

running987 wrote:

Fartmonger wrote:

Wabash coach was fired.

Where did you hear that?

Seems pretty unlikely, his wife was accepted into a grad program out of state, leaving to be with her.

Gavin is 20 years away from being named Director or track and field at Wisconsin if that was what you were implying. Seems Gavin prefers to be an assistant, in a more support role and more friends with the team members than a mentor.

Money talks wrote:

Mr. Euphemism wrote:

“Left.” Lol.

What’s funny about that?

He was fired from Ole Miss for recruiting violations. This is common knowledge.

I think Iona will end up hiring their associate head coach. He's been there for a long time and the program is obviously doing well. Iona has a niche (there's obviously an international pipeline) and my guess is that they want to keep that going. As good as they have been in cross country, I don't really see that being a big time job that an established coach is going to leave their job to take.

Who is the next SEC assistant to jump schools and make an impact right away?

Mr Peanutbutter wrote:

I think Iona will end up hiring their associate head coach. He's been there for a long time and the program is obviously doing well. Iona has a niche (there's obviously an international pipeline) and my guess is that they want to keep that going. As good as they have been in cross country, I don't really see that being a big time job that an established coach is going to leave their job to take.

A couple observations...

1. I think you underestimate the opportunity at Iona - Yes, there are drawbacks, but they are all in on distance in a small conference - this is the formula to the podium in xc. This would be an attractive job for many. If Mick can't nudge Gavin out the door I see it going to a younger, more up and coming coach who has established themselves who has ties to the college or to foreign recruiting. Two names that pop into my head are Darren Gausen (Bradley) and Jake Stewart (Illinois - and Iona alum). Not sure either would bolt from their current situations tho.

2. Wasn't Maverick Darling recently hired as an assistant? Another Mick connection.

I could see why darling bolted out of western Kentucky after 1 semester, did them raw! But I’m sure this was foreseen so he left for Iona.

Jake Stewart is a decent international recruiter but sh*t coach, I guess Lamar has a liking to those type of coaches(see current coach).

I don’t think an established coach will make this move, this is for one of those young guns hungry out of college(literally)

You all do realize Joe Pienta is the Associate Head Coach at Iona and has been under Coach Santos for almost 7-8 years now. He will likely take over the program and will likely continue doing a great job. Joe is a great recruiter and has a great reputation amongst the coaching community. I doubt Coach Santos would leave Joe out to dry by taking another job without getting some assurances that Joe would be given a chance to continue running a great program.

Hilarious how little knowledge so many people commenting on these jobs have. Do your reserach and stop throwing random names out for any job that pops up.

JOE PIENTA FOR PRESIDENTE

Pay Attention People wrote:

You all do realize Joe Pienta is the Associate Head Coach at Iona and has been under Coach Santos for almost 7-8 years now. He will likely take over the program and will likely continue doing a great job. Joe is a great recruiter and has a great reputation amongst the coaching community. I doubt Coach Santos would leave Joe out to dry by taking another job without getting some assurances that Joe would be given a chance to continue running a great program.

Hilarious how little knowledge so many people commenting on these jobs have. Do your reserach and stop throwing random names out for any job that pops up.

Stfu you candy a*s... sound like a little punk you keep creeping on people if you wish chump

Seems too quiet. Program needs a comprehensive jumps/multi coach. Last glory days in jumps there were under Calvin Robinson

Pay Attention People wrote:

You all do realize Joe Pienta is the Associate Head Coach at Iona and has been under Coach Santos for almost 7-8 years now. He will likely take over the program and will likely continue doing a great job. Joe is a great recruiter and has a great reputation amongst the coaching community. I doubt Coach Santos would leave Joe out to dry by taking another job without getting some assurances that Joe would be given a chance to continue running a great program.

Hilarious how little knowledge so many people commenting on these jobs have. Do your reserach and stop throwing random names out for any job that pops up.

Okay thanks Joe

Creighton make a decision yet? Anyone know who the finalist were?

I agree.

I have coached on the youth, high school, and college level (NCAA Division II was my highest level of coaching as an assistant). The assessment on some of the best coaches in the nation are in the high school level is head on. I met so many fantastic coaches on this level in the Chicago suburbs its unbelievable. Many were former college athletes and/or college coaches as well. Depending on what school district you are in, some of the benefits are exceptional especially if you have a family. Also keep in mind many high school coaches don't want to move because of family. Yet, I have met high school coaches that are only doing it because they need a coach. I remember meeting a coach that had no experience as a coach and needed to fill the spot. Also remember one important thing, union has a say on who is going to coach the high school. If a non district employee, who is a former Olympic coach, applies for a high school XC/Track coaching position, but an inexperienced district employee applies for the same position, according to union laws the inexperienced district employee needs to have the job. I don't know if this is for other states, but for Illinois this is how its done. I work in a school district right now and union is the name of the game.

As for college coaching, I will not deny I have met college coaches who are not up to par. I met a head track and field coach who didn't know how to put together a starting block. Hired last second and now making good money. Unlike high school, 4 year colleges is all about politics. Sure, its all about who you know, but also its about politics (race and gender plays a huge role for many places). So pretty much if you won 20 state titles and competing with an inexperienced, but an All American athlete for a D3 head coaching job then you might be in trouble for a lot of reasons. I have seen this situation over and over again. Unqualified people getting hired over qualified coaches. Baffles me in so many ways. I have met good "All Americans" that became good coaches, but then again I met (and even worked with) an "All American" athlete who became a coach and was OK at it and absolutely hated it. She is now out of the coaching field. Good person, but didn't like the profession.

There is nothing wrong with JUCO schools, but to athletic directors, it might not seem 'sexy' enough to hire. If you are a high school student 'millennial' that wants to go compete on the college level, would you want to go compete at the school that just hired the All American athlete as a coach or the JUCO coach who knows structure, a ton of experience, and a lot of success. Millennials go for what is 'sexy' for the most part and will go for the All American coach.

I know many great JUCO coaches as well that could of went NCAA D1 through D10 1/2, but chose to stay at the JUCO level because they were pretty much deep into their years of teaching (why lose your retirement benefits) and just local.