Irv Ray to UMKC

It looks like UMKC has the best coach in the state now (except for possibly a semi-retired high school coach.) Can't say a whole lot about him other than what I've seen from his runners in NAIA, the books he's written aren't bad and are somewhat insightful, being part of the US 800/1500 developmental program, and Ryan Hall doing what he did the past few years under his tutelage was pretty impressive. Although he's mainly an 800/1500 it looks like Kozi is in good hands.

He coached Steve Scott and also co-wrote a pretty thick book that I've heard is good.

Irv Ray did coach Scott, but not in his prime rather when Scott was 38 or so. I wouldn't give him credit there. However, I have read his co-authored book, "Run with the Best" and from that would assume that he would be a top coach. I think just about any athlete would benefit with him as a coach.

You can do well under coach Ray if you follow his programm and your "instinct" to take it easy at the right time. In short, his plan involves quantity of VO2 work as well as high volume. You better be smart (go by your feeling if you are titred) to perform well.

Good luck

PS: don't get burned!

The program focuses on:

1. The concept of accumulated volume

2. Year-round 400m speed development

3. Avoiding hard surfaces whenever possible

4. The value pf hills

5. The importance of lactate threshold training

Look at those who endorse him:

Steve SCott, Arthur Lydiard, Joe Vigil and John Velzian

In reply to the comment about Irv Ray being the best coach in the state of Missouri, I wouldn't say Irv Ray will be the best coach in the state of Missouri. There are several good coaches and yes, I am very familiar with Irv Ray's credentials. He has done a very good job everywhere he has been. A good coach no doubt.

You might do your research on some of the other schools in the area that are DI, DII, DIII.

Truman State has consistently had good cross country teams forever, and last year no one in Missouri would of, could beat them or even come close. They were 4th at NCAA II behind Western State, Adams State and Abilene Christian and Truman has all local Missouri kids to work with.

Wash U out of St. Louis will also have a very strong team on both sides. They don't get as much recogniton because they are in the brutal DIII central region for xc with all of the top teams in the country, but they won their xc conference and only look to get better.

SWMS women's team was the best in the MVC last year and should have a good shot at qualifying for NCAA's this year.

There are others as well, just some info.

Best wishes to all on their season.

I think the term "best" is relative...but I do think that UMKC has hired someone that can help them get better...

Coach Ray has baeen a success everywhere he has been and I see no rreason that that trend will not continue...it is a great opportunity for him and the school and I am looking forward to seeing how it goes for both of them...

ray, is a decent coach . He has had some successes, and failures, as all coches do. He seems to be able to get athleets fit, but IMHO has yet to be able to have them run fast when it counts.....

I know Irv very well. His attributes as a coach include training his athletes as individuals, constantly assessing how each athlete is progressing, and looking for new ways to improve them. He networks with Lannana, Vigil, Larsen, Scott, Mann, Wetmore, Bautista, McDonald, and several other top flight coaches. My guess is that his athletes will do well for him given they acquired some background under Masanet, who sounds like he worked in a progressive way. Athletes without the background may have to wait a year or so before they race real well. the first year can be tough, but the second year is fun. He does his best to not overrace his athletes, which means they do not get torn apart. If I was a UMKC athlete, i am not sure that there will be a tremendous difference between Irv and Geoff. From what I have seen of the material he has sent the LBSU runners, he basically does Irv's program, though I am not sure how much speed he does. Irv has his athletes interests in mind, but, as I said, for an athlete who is not used to a mileage program, the first year may be tiring.

As an aside, Masanet and the Long Beach program will benefit from Irv's program in a roundabout way this season...and his emphasis is not VO2 as much as it is lactate threshold development, though he does VO2 at certain times in each training cycle.