Ron Mann - Louisville

coachkritter wrote:

This is a shocker. It's on U of L web site. Why did he retire (?) from NAU.

Will he still draw his NAU retirement package?

This is incredible news. I wonder what his athletes at NAU must feel like.

I am really suprised espicially considering his retirement announcement from NAU where he said he needed to spend time with his aging parents, church, and tent to other activities that he has not had time to attend to. A real pisser. Changes my view on him.

The NAU athletic dept may have been trying to reduce overhead (salaries), prompting Coach Mann's retirement.

coach man is showing just what kind of guy he really is, a liar for one and betraying the NAU distance kids who were banking on him being around to help in the new adjustments. screw him

AssMann wrote:

coach man is showing just what kind of guy he really is, a liar for one and betraying the NAU distance kids who were banking on him being around to help in the new adjustments. screw him

because you know the whole story, right? there have been serious hints (one here on this thread, even) that he was retired by NAU instead of the other way around.

even if he did intend to retire, i don't see why anyone should fault him; he accomplished just about all there was to accomplish at NAU. louisville will be a new challenge. it sucks if he wasn't straight with his kids (or couldn't be straight with his kids because of an administration muzzle); but they've known of his retirement for a while now and whether he's at a different school or attending church with his mom in the fall, he wouldn't have been there either way.

"Mann has family in close proximity to the Louisville area, and the mother of Mann's wife Charlene lives in Indianapolis, a few hours up I-65 from Louisville.

"I'm basically trading the Arizona family for the Indiana family," he said. "

"I had every intention of calling my life good and just going off (and retiring)," Mann said. "I'm not by any means, shape or form divorcing myself from Flagstaff."

It's all a bunch of horse-hockey!

He has proven the most important thing. ALTITUDE IS OVERATED. Whether you like Coach Mann or his decision, is irrelevant, he is a fine coach. However, much like every coach that coaches at a school located at altitude they will claim that ALTITUDE IS A MUST. I have heard it from Wetmore, Mann, and Vigil. However, I claim that it is strictly for the purpose of recruiting. Ron Mann has helped to prove my point.

Has eanyone ever thought that there is never a good time for anyone to retire and especially a coach. A coach will always leave athletes he like because one never sees a program unitl it dissolves.

This is a great opportunity that came up and was not something he went looking for.

As for altitude yes he does make a difference. It isn't just Wetmore, Vigil or Mann preaching this. Olympic swimmmers, bikers, runner, etc. all come to train at altitude fro aroound the world.

THerefore, don't become such an egocentric individual and get your facts straight before you go questioning motives and facts.

[quote]runaz wrote:

This is a great opportunity that came up and was not something he went looking for.

Sure, Louisville's distance program has not been that great (terrible most years) for a long time so this will be a new challenge for him. And they move into the Big East after next year, so maybe that was another aspect. They have a very nice track and field facility too, but he will find a major difference in Flagstaff and Louisville as Louisville is not the most pleasant place to live.

Better than You wrote:

He has proven the most important thing. ALTITUDE IS OVERATED. Whether you like Coach Mann or his decision, is irrelevant, he is a fine coach. However, much like every coach that coaches at a school located at altitude they will claim that ALTITUDE IS A MUST. I have heard it from Wetmore, Mann, and Vigil. However, I claim that it is strictly for the purpose of recruiting. Ron Mann has helped to prove my point.

Actually, high altitude training does have a few proven benefits and is not really overrated. Maybe it is underrated. Guess it is how you interpret it.

roscoe, did you use to coach in the louisville area? at spaulding, who doesnt have a program now?

What are those proven benefits?

so you wanna hear a funny joke? okay here it goes........The Louisville Coaching Staff. I bet Tom Jurich is kicking himself in the teeth right now. I mean look at what they have done with the program. Either cut or drove off 20 runners. Injured half of the runners still on the team. And as for the rest of the runners, they are running personal worsts. Where are these great coaches we've been hearing so much about? lets start with Floyd Brazier, the self proclaimed best hurdle coach in the country. Lets forget about the fact hes a homosexual, okay thats hard to do when he shows up to practice in baby blue turtlenecks. Anyways, you would think runners would improve after training under the "best coach in the country", but that has not happened. Floyd you may be a terrible coach, but at least you look good in that blue turtleneck.

This is all a bad joke. I mean im just waiting for ashton kucher to pop up and say we've all been punked.

AssMann,

You're right about one thing. Coach Mann IS showing just what kind of guy he really is. He's a class act who has been around this sport for a long time. Not only did he do a great job at NAU, but he has never hesitated to give his time and effort to just about anyone who asks. He speaks at clinics and makes himself available to those who want his help. He freely gives his e-mail address to anyone who wants to contact him. He gives and gives and gives and gives to track and field, and he always has.

For those of you who want to speculate about why he is not at NAU and why he came out of a very short-term retirement to be a Louisville, all you have to do is ask him. He didn't try to fool anyone or cheat anyone, and he will give you an honest response if you ask him.

There an elite few like him who have dedicated their careers to improving the sport of track and field and helping young athletes. It really irks me to see anyone try to tear that down while hiding behind a false name. It's too bad there aren't a whole lot more coaches out there like Ron Mann. Whether you like him personally or not, you can't argue with the number of people who have benefitted from his help.

Ruth Wysocki

I love you, Ruth Wysocki!

Mann is the man.

Ruth is right! Coach Mann has a long history of devotion to track & field / cross-country, his athletes, and his program. Perhaps he chose to be devoted to his family, a very noble goal when he moved to Louisville.

I talked with Coach Mann this winter at a clinic and I must say that I found him to be very sincere in his care and concern for others. Tinman

Are you guys on the payroll at U of L? How much are Jurich and Mann paying you? I don\'t know enough about the Mann you support, but Gene has benefited far more students and athletes in this community than probably any other coach in the area. It\'s a shame Jurich didn\'t support him the way he gives his old - and I mean OLD - buddy the open checkbook!