MY NCAA HEAD COACH RANKINGS

JAD wrote:

Title of the thread is misleading. It should say distance coach rankings. Mick Byrne and Alex Gibby aren't head coaches. Outside of Bob Braman (and maybe Helmer) none of these teams will do anything at the NCAA meet next week.

For head coaches, how about Pat Henry, Chris Bucknam, Robert Johnson, Mike Holloway, Bob Braman, Ed Nuttycombe, Tonja Buford-Bailey, Fred Harvey, Greg Kraft, Ron Helmer... These are the coaches who consistently have teams doing something in their conference meets and national meets in track.

Let us assume that Head Coaches require that they be head in XC and in charge of distance/middle distance in track. Certainly Wisconsin, third indoors, has done well on the national stage. This year they are hit by an injury to Krause and a redshirt for Ahmed but still have two in the 1500, one in the 5000 and one in the steeple, each with placing possibilities. Further, even with problems they can end up being the top XC/Indoor/Outdoor team in the country [plus an injury slowed Finnerty, who was 5th at NCAAs last year, and to Cato, who was second the last two Heptathlons].

Nuttycombe is the head coach but Bryne is the distance guy who Nuttycombe allows the freedom to run that program subject to the constraints of having a broad team

Since when is a 9:00 2 mile guy "solid"? But you're right, Braman gets ridiculously talented recruits (Ciaran, Forrester, Seddon, Leeder, Zivec) and has a great team if he just maintains their level of fitness from high school.

Norm Ogilvie of Duke is underrated..he has brought the Duke mens xc team to nat's 3 out of the past 4 years without any super stars coming out of hs.

#1. Pat Henry

#2. Vin Lananna

#3. Bob Braman

#4. Ron Allice

#5. Joe Franklin

#6. Dennis Shaver

THIS. I would call the best coaches as the one's who best DEVELOP talent, not recruit runners and use them as is.

The Donkeys wrote:

Since when is a 9:00 2 mile guy "solid"? But you're right, Braman gets ridiculously talented recruits (Ciaran, Forrester, Seddon, Leeder, Zivec) and has a great team if he just maintains their level of fitness from high school.

Sorry, I probably could have used a better word. I just meant the demographic between in-state walk-on and a footlocker champ or international stud.

But to my point - an athlete who runs 9 minutes in high school and runs 14:00 has nothing to be ashamed of. That's a great progression and very fast. But I think "solid" is a good word for a 14 minute 5k runner these days. You're not winning your conference, not all-american. Not great, but definitely don't suck. Solid.

Back to the original topic. I can't name an american Franklin has coached. He may be great, but he doesn't have a lot of credentials.

Not sure if this is just for men but if not....HOW HAS NO ONE MENTIONED GINA PROCACCIO OR CHRIS MILTENBERG

The OP specifically indicated Distance, and #4 Allice is the reason that one of the two best 400m runner left USC; he is essentially irrelevant to this thread in the context of the OP's question. Shaver has a better record but is not basing his success on distance, as his XC team illustrates. Braman is probably better can someone make the distance case so that I know it better?

Tibbles wrote:

#1. Pat Henry

#2. Vin Lananna

#3. Bob Braman

#4. Ron Allice

#5. Joe Franklin

#6. Dennis Shaver

Is this thread about assistant distance coaches, head coaches or director of track & field? We all know the higher up you go the less involved with hands on coaching you are (and rightfully so).

But since we're throwing names out there how about Gary Towne of Chico State. Amazing what he can do with an average high school kid.

I've often thought coaches should get ratings based on their performance as a coach... you get points for recruiting blue chips, you get points for scouting raw talent, you get points for improving marks (by % improved), and points for competition results like team championships and individual champions. This is a performance index I'm describing, right?

JOE PIANE

you know who recruits some decent athletes and develops them into all americans consistently --- Lance Harter

How about post-college coaches. In order.

1. Salazar

Olympic medals

2. Schumacher

Depth of major championship team members

3. Li

Lagat only, but best by far over last 10 years

4. Cook

Not sure where presently at, but with Shalane and Leo, he has medals to his name. I believe both have left so down for sure.

5. Mahon

Have to give him Uceny for world ranking. Willard seems lost nowadays, but been throu a lot personally.

6. Wetmore

The return of Simpson and claim as best steeplechase coach in the country between Slattery, Nelson, Emma, and Kip.

7. Rowland's

Symmonds in 800 and strong showing at 1500. Franek in steeple. Should have more with resources in Eugene/Nike, but this is the forgotten group in Oregon these days.

8. Gary

Steeple specialist behind Wetmore, but new group may allow more depth in recruiting pros. Nicole Bush back to the top and Leslie having breakout year. Huling left for Schumacher.

A list without Vin coaching pros is craziness.

Ever heard of Wheating, Symmonds, Centro?

Put him right behind Jerry on that list if not ahead.

Rollie Geiger, NC State.

Brian O'Neal at Ole Miss

Signed - Brian O Neal

NC State wrote:

Rollie Geiger, NC State.

I think Rollie is a fantastic college coach.

Nothing post-college though. Nothing wrong with that; it isn't his job.

Vin has never coached Symmonds.