Bear in mind we don't get national caliber runners to begin with. So just because Matt is the first person in quite some time to make nationals from Winthrop doesn't mean Coach Paxton isn't a good coach. Sometimes the mark of a good coach can be seen in improvement. Here is a list of the improvements this team has made.
Brad Orr- 4:25, 10:00 in high school, at Winthrop 3:52 1500 (4:09 1600) and 8:28 3000 (9:05 3200) (with one more outdoor season left)
Trevor Beesley- 9:58, 15:48 5K in high school, at Winthrop 8:31 3000 (9:08 3200), 14:45 5K, 30:54 10K (with one more year of indoor and outdoor to go)
Brandon Hudgins- 2:00 800, 4:16 1600 in high school, at Winthrop 1:51 800, 3:49 1500 (4:05 1600) (both those times were run as a sophmore, he has had health problems this year)
Justin Meade- 4:48 1600 in high school, at Winthrop 1:54 800.
Gaines Bailey- 10:14 3200 in high school, at Winthrop 15:20 5K
Ben Henderson- 17:45 5k in high school, at Winthrop 15:33 5K.
So I would say that Coach Paxton is a solid coach. Everyone on this team who sticks to the program improves. And I think that shows a solid coach.