HOKA NAZ Elite just hired someone you've never heard of as its head coach - Jack Mullaney

Crazy theory but, hear me out…

Mullaney left U of P for the Portland State job, then resigned and returned to the Pilots. Probably the right move but, it may have eliminated his chances of replacing Conner when he retires. Rather than build up loyalty points or finding a college HC job (damaged rep for his prompt departure at PSU), he takes the pro gig with Hoka.

Conner has been at the helm for over 30 years and has likely done all that he can at Portland. Perhaps he is considering retirement in the next year or two and wants to hire an assistant that will become his successor. Now that the role is open, enter…

Sean Brosnan. The guy seems to visit Portland a lot and posts pictures from Nike HQ whenever he is in town. U of P gives him an opportunity to restore his rep, hone his recruiting skills, and inherit a program with good university support (unlike UCLA). The Pilots are distance focused, have an indoor training facility, and a new outdoor oval in the works. He might also be able to position himself to run a Nike sponsored pro team as his former Newbury Park athletes leave college and join the pro ranks.

Discus.

I just hope NAZ takes on more young up-and-coming American marathoners. Lately they've taken on a bunch of foreign athletes, especially on the men's side, and it's just not as exciting to follow.

False theory. Rob Conner is not going anywhere. The situation at Portland State was awful, any smart person like Jack would have done exactly what he did and it did not ruin his reputation.

Hell no! Conner is the exact opposite of Brosnan and wouldn’t touch him with a 10 foot pole. He’ll find another young guy that wants to learn the ropes and help continue on the great culture they have at Portland.

Rumor out there that Culpepper didn't think he had to live in Flag in order to coach the team and claimed nothing in the contract said that was a requirement...

Theory - the best college coaches are compensated much better than any pro group could pay them. The applicant pool was likely smaller than expected.

Not true at all. I can't speak for Hoka, but thats not true.

I think Hoka had a hard time pulling a top coach for many reasons and had nothing to do with the money.

The best college coaches make $200k plus. No way hoka is paying that.

You're talking about top directors. Not many are making 200k.

This is a sport where everyone trashes everyone. Especially coaches on coaches.

I agree it's a weird hire - but Jack M is actually one of the rare guys that I've literally never heard anyone speak ill on. Have had the pleasure of talking to him a couple times.

Strange, strange hire yes - bad hire ? Gut tells me no.

If you ask around you won't find anyone to say anything bad about the kid is my guess.

I'm not sure this group is really set up to have success but this will be interesting to watch.

So why aren't the alums on here raving about him?

Great point. The more I think about it, I bet this job pays less than what a head college job is for any P5. Seriously, if you are the head coach at P5, no way you are taking this for money. So that means you pretty much have to hire a young assistant.

Plus if they end up having to pay Culpepper as well (no smart person accepts a 1 year contract, he had to have a multiple year contract. And if they fired him because he didn't want to live in Flaggstaff, then he can cite Pete Julien as a trop pro coach who lives remote), they have even less money available.

Because I think we all know his results will speak for themselves, he is an incredible coach and person. No need to hop into the cycle of negativity that happens on here.

I don’t know this guy, but I will wish him luck. However, the negativity people bring to this MB is actually scary and sick. Imagine being in such a bad place in your life that you need to post something negative about another coach or athletes. Hoka made their choice and they don’t need to justify with the trolls.

Damn that guy needs to see a different barber

It was a common look in Germany in the '30s & '40s.