I will say it again. The top guys are not going to join “teams”. Look a Cole. Mike Smith is Nico’s coach first. Fisher is doing his own thing. Blanks, etc. this is the trend. Teams never really work in the long run. This swoosh team is just sign them all at a discount with claw backs and see who can make it.
I will say it again. The top guys are not going to join “teams”. Look a Cole. Mike Smith is Nico’s coach first. Fisher is doing his own thing. Blanks, etc. this is the trend. Teams never really work in the long run. This swoosh team is just sign them all at a discount with claw backs and see who can make it.
Teams never work because we don't have team races. I wish we did...an Ekiden, XC...more races where you could cheer for a pro team. It would certainly make the sport more fan-friendly. Everyone loves to follow a team! But without that, what's the point of a team? Workout buddies? Fine, but more than likely would lead to suboptimal workouts and non-individualized development plans.
I actually think this is the million dollar question.
Ollie doesn't seem to see eye to eye with Ritz at all.
It's one thing having a freelance OAC athlete in boulder doing his own thing. it's another if a shadow training group forms a mile away all of whom will presumably want to maintain access to the Gym and treatment rooms being On athletes as opposed to OAC athletes
I was shocked that Morgan was the first to leave - I would've called Ollie. He is open and vocal about disagreements with Ritz on Coffee Club, and he's had a series of disappointments and underperformances. If I were Ritz listening to some of those podcasts I'd feel uncomfortable continuing the coaching relationship: it's clear Ollie is frustrated with his coaching.
Surprised Ollie stays too, career is short, can’t be waiting around with disappointment after disappointment for years now. If he wants to stay with ON haven’t they an auz group?
Everybody loves to pick on OAC and Ritz’s coaching here. But..
How has Jerry done with his pros (the ones that are left at least)? A heck of a lot worse than Dathan.
What about Mike Smith? His college guys have plenty of injuries. Did he peak Nico too early? Luis has been hurt for over a year. Abdi (okay, he had the fall and surgery, I’ll give him a pass on Nur). Woody was injured last year and failed go make the team.
Being the best in the world is hard. The training to get there is not easy. These guys are trying to win medals. That means taking risks.
Everybody loves to pick on OAC and Ritz’s coaching here. But..
How has Jerry done with his pros (the ones that are left at least)? A heck of a lot worse than Dathan.
What about Mike Smith? His college guys have plenty of injuries. Did he peak Nico too early? Luis has been hurt for over a year. Abdi (okay, he had the fall and surgery, I’ll give him a pass on Nur). Woody was injured last year and failed go make the team.
Being the best in the world is hard. The training to get there is not easy. These guys are trying to win medals. That means taking risks.
To me it's more of an attitude thing. Watching a video of Ritz or Jerry coaching (if you can even find any) vs Mike Smith coaching and it's clear as day Mike Smith is the better coach.
Morgan should just start his own club in Boulder. He's one of the most genuine, kind, and unassuming people I've met, and anyone would be lucky to have him as a teammate. Wish him the best!
Everybody loves to pick on OAC and Ritz’s coaching here. But..
How has Jerry done with his pros (the ones that are left at least)? A heck of a lot worse than Dathan.
What about Mike Smith? His college guys have plenty of injuries. Did he peak Nico too early? Luis has been hurt for over a year. Abdi (okay, he had the fall and surgery, I’ll give him a pass on Nur). Woody was injured last year and failed go make the team.
Being the best in the world is hard. The training to get there is not easy. These guys are trying to win medals. That means taking risks.
I was shocked that Morgan was the first to leave - I would've called Ollie. He is open and vocal about disagreements with Ritz on Coffee Club, and he's had a series of disappointments and underperformances. If I were Ritz listening to some of those podcasts I'd feel uncomfortable continuing the coaching relationship: it's clear Ollie is frustrated with his coaching.
Surprised Ollie stays too, career is short, can’t be waiting around with disappointment after disappointment for years now. If he wants to stay with ON haven’t they an auz group?
Ollie needs a change. He's had success with Ritz, but it's now two years of simply failing to stay healthy, let alone competitive. Even Wightman knew when it was time for a change, and his coaching situation was far more complicated with his own dad involved. Like Morgan, he's on the back side of his career and needs to make the most of what little time he has
Had not heard this but it wouldn’t shock me. Don’t forget that Morgan begged to be a part of this group and was hurt and running poorly for Joe Bosshard.
I will say it again. The top guys are not going to join “teams”. Look a Cole. Mike Smith is Nico’s coach first. Fisher is doing his own thing. Blanks, etc. this is the trend. Teams never really work in the long run. This swoosh team is just sign them all at a discount with claw backs and see who can make it.
Hocker has a group to train with. Smith coaches a group.
Morgan should just start his own club in Boulder. He's one of the most genuine, kind, and unassuming people I've met, and anyone would be lucky to have him as a teammate. Wish him the best!
Maybe the Sage Canaday model, with a podcast and coaching business?