Trackgeek
I coached at various levels for 9 years (HS, JC, DII, Open). Here are a couple of throughts on successful coaching.
*motivation: keeping athletes excited about goals per workout, per race, per season
*optimal performance: How to get athletes at their best when it counts the most
*commitment: This goes with motivaiton, but getting athletes to give the program a long term commitment
*progression: getting from one level to the next
* evaluation: this applys to daily workouts, races, and the whole season for both athletes and coaches
*directional/positive feedback: stay with mainly directional feedback, give positive feedback when need be, avoid negative feedback
*race rehersal: both mental and physical...preparing for the course, competition, weather, stragegy, etc
These are a few of the running principles that have worked for me.
Best of luck
Mike