It would be a mistake.
He'll learn how to race, train, and be a young adult while in college. He would be outclassed as a professional and not develop as much emotionally.
If a coach is of true significance, their impact and words will forever be ingrained in the athletes they connected with. Any future coach will only add to that.
That's the ticket! wrote:
Tinman can set up a training center and do things his way and he'll get athletes from all over the world paying to train with him.
He's been doing Internet coaching with athletes from all over the world for more than a decade... IMO he's brilliant, but as he says himself, he is often too blunt with people.
rojo wrote:
..........3. Hunter is not a miler.
Tinman wrote this last February -
http://www.therunzone.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3296&sid=a4defa96609d1f71d936e565c1eeab2a- "Drew is not a miler. He’s very much like Craig Virgin (who didn’t start running until his sophomore year in high school, just like Jim Ryun)..........."
As a high school freshman in 1970, Virgin was 7th in the IL state track 2-mile in 9:31.9 (a new national freshman and age-14 record.)
Galen, yes. He is one of the two. He kept the same coach from high school through the pros, so really, I don't think he should be included in my "two" that I referenced above. He never had a transition.
Bob Kennedy, yes.
True, yes.
Lagat, yes, but he could have easily have not decided upon US citizenship. I guess this is what you're talking about when you say my statement was oversimplified. I'll let you have Lagat. The same is the case of Abdi, Bairu, etc. because African runners can handle the American system better than most of the rest of us. They are more talented and can absorb the overworking that occurs in most systems without breaking down - so they make the collegiate system look more appealing. Can't you understand that?
The remainder of the guys could smoke me, you, and everyone else talking about the subject. They had (or are having) fantastic careers in the NCAAs and beyond; however, no one else has really shown that they can win against the very best in the world / set records.
One final thing to consider. A college education is very important and I would encourage anyone who is accepted to attend college for the education. However, the value of a free education received by many of the folks on your list far exceeds the track and field winnings (again - for many, not all)
Let's say that educational value is $250,000 over four years when accepting a scholarship.
Doesn't it then make sense for these folks to attend school for the free ride, saving themselves (or their family) 1/4 million dollars? With the exception of the guys I outlined above, how many more are really going to net that kind of money in a pro contract? The value of the free education from ages 18-22 is higher so they take it. Plus, that's what you're "supposed to do" when you graduate from high school - right?
23 Americans ran under 3:58.24 indoors last year. This going pro stuff needs a grain of salt sprinkled on it.
Yeah he's a HSer with potential but how much money does a shoe company want to spend on a guy who isn't going to Rio this year?
Imaidiot wrote:
There is definitely the possibility of Hunter getting slower during his freshman year at Oregon. Long term though, going to Oregon is like signing a contract with nike.
Except Jenna Prandini signed with Puma. I'd still like to know that story.
