But he has to be successful first and I don't see that happening.
When we're talking about his motivations, the question is not whether you see it happening, but whether he sees it happening. He's a confident guy. Obviously he does expect to be successful.
He won't lose his pension. If he has at least 5 years in the system, it stays in CalStrs (the school pension system) until he's of retirement age. Then he'll join the University pension system.
I hope Steve Hawkins and Tanya Brosnan can keep the momentum going this year. One name noticeably absent from this year's group at NP is Hector Martinez. I wonder what happened to him. Brosnan has been known to make dramatic pronouncements, but even so saying that Lex (and Leo) is in 13:20 shape is mind boggling. Let's see what they actually do
I wonder how Nathan Porter is not mentioned on there. He ran a 4:26/9:52. Pretty sure he was at Big Bear based on the Lex and Leo videos
In track season while doing mile/2 mile type training as a high school junior Lex ran 13:43. 13:20s doesn't sound like a big stretch if their doing focused training now. Time will tell barring injuries.
I mean you just coached the most talented team of boys high school distance runners ever. You might as well go out on top, especially if you're getting a crazy amount more money to go to next level and you're still fairly young. Why not step up and see how good you really are at a higher level? Any high school coach in that position would do exactly the same thing or even go pro. He would stupid be not to leave.
Excited to see what he'll do at UCLA. Great stepping stone for him as it's clear he has big goals and he's not afraid of a single one of them.
Also, a 4:20 mile is a fast time for most people. Sean isn't most people. I'm guessing most of the greatest coaches out there (or anyone coaching in a state like California with competitive runners) would agree with him because you can't win anything with 4:20 mile. He's being honest. It's not a fast enough time.
If you spend your time not liking someone you don't personally know, then yes it is jealousy or some other projection of your own shortcoming.
Maybe many do know him.
Also, liking or disliking someone is an opinion. I don't know Trump and I don't like him. I've heard enough interviews, seen the way he acts and treats people to have an opinion that I don't like him. Does everyone who doesn't know Trump personally and doesn't like him have a shortcoming or are jealous of him?
I think your analogy is a bit of a stretch.
No one has to like Sean. He comes across as arrogant but the fact is, he knows his stuff. He's a super focused coach and he's not willing to allow himself to get distracted, which probably has helped his success. I've met him a couple of times outside of running. When you get to sit down and talk to him, it's a lot easier to like him. He's confident, but I don't know a great coach who isn't. More importantly, he has the success to back it up.
However, I see the initial comment as a compliment. Even people that don't like Sean know this was a good move for him and can't fault him for it. When someone that doesn't like you can say that it says wonders.