General Tso wrote:
With driverless trucks on the horizon, this might be a good time to exist the truck repair industry.
Do driverless trucks not need to be repaired?
General Tso wrote:
With driverless trucks on the horizon, this might be a good time to exist the truck repair industry.
Do driverless trucks not need to be repaired?
Moving the family from a running mecca to some crap hole in Arkansas?
Very little social media activity about the truck business. Really just seems you need a mechanic and some very deep up front costs like tools and tow trucks. I’d imagine it can’t be going well.
His life has just seemed to flounder since his running downturn years ago. Didn’t really seem like his heart was in the triathlon thing. I would’ve thought that he had a deep love for running and would’ve done the coaching route immediately.
As a huge fan of the sport, I've loved watching Webb for the past, heck, 20 years. His highs have been high and his lows have been low, but no one could ever doubt his drive and passion for the sport.
I would imagine recruiting will be somewhat easier for him than other mid-major programs, given his own personal success and name recognition. Furthermore, I think he does have an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to succeed. He's seen a number of types of training and philosophies from Salazar to Raczko to Vig to Warhurst (feels like I'm missing at least one other major coach). He undoubtedly knows the workouts to sprinkle in. Certainly the sky is the limit here. I'd love to see him build this program into a powerhouse, or at least show increasing success and jump to a Power 5 school that he can raise to a nationally competitive level.
All that being said, I have serious doubts about his abilities as a coach.
First of all, he's always been incredibly mercurial. He has good seasons and bad seasons, good days and bad days. I believe trust and consistency in the process is a key component of success as a distance runner, yet Webb always seemed flighty and ready to shift at the drop of a hat. Heck, he even changed sports at one point! I think his narrow-mindedness or lack of foresight oftentimes led to him making a big change when things didn't go his way in the moment. How will these shifts in mood affect the runners he's coaching? Will he be erratic in his relationships with his athletes? Or in the workouts prescribed?
Secondly, I'd argue that coaching comes down to relationships as much as the physiological component. Webb simply doesn't have the disposition or confidence, in my eyes, to inspire the trust or belief of his young athletes. Have any of you ever spoken to Webb, or seen him speak? He comes off as one of the least "secure-in-your-own-skin" people I've ever met. I've spoken to Webb at numerous meets around the east coast, bounced ideas off of him at Footlocker Nationals, seen him speak at a coaching seminar, and have even had dinner with him (in a small group). The guy is super nice, but his stuttering, erratic, meandering speech patterns and inability to conform to social norms of active listening like making eye contact all serve as huge red flags for me.
I'm not sure why I felt compelled to post this, as I rarely post here at all. Maybe to serve as a "you heard it here first" type statement. Or maybe I just want to foster further discussion on what it takes to be a successful coach and how athletes can make a transition into that arena. Many top athletes haven't made top coaches, as the high-end ability and drive they expect differentiates them from the everyday athletes they're coaching. Either way, I'll be very curious to see how Webb manages. He's a fascinating figure and this additional chapter just adds to his mystique.
I've observed him out there coaching track a few times march-may. He gets along well with the athletes (men & women). The workouts that I've seen them do weren't the ball buster type, but rather meat and potatoes stuff. The athletes still developing aerobically get a partial group workout and then finish up with tempo/10k. Everything seems pretty well tailored to individuals, but broken up into groups. Comradery was apparent with the team.
Pure speculation here, but there's probably a substantial amount of investment in training and equipment that must take place to adapt to the new technology. Further, I suspect driverless trucks may require less repairs. I'm speculating that computer operators are probably easier on engines than human drivers. Conversely, the new technology might make it an excellent time to get into the truck repair business.
General Tso wrote:
Pure speculation here, but there's probably a substantial amount of investment in training and equipment that must take place to adapt to the new technology. Further, I suspect driverless trucks may require less repairs. I'm speculating that computer operators are probably easier on engines than human drivers. Conversely, the new technology might make it an excellent time to get into the truck repair business.
A lot of the repairs can be handled by the technology itself. Machines fixing machines. Skynet can't be far off. Wise decision by Webb to get out of that industry prior to the revolution.
Can robots coach XC/track distance? Maybe, but I doubt it very much.
rojo wrote:
Tires and stuff wrote:
What happened to the truck repair business?
Maybe I should find as new profession as well as I have to admit I too am more interested in his truck repair business. I have seen pretty much all there is to see in running so nothing is novel to me in our great sport anymore but the idea of the truck repairs weirdly fascinated me. Like how does that world work?
As for Webb's coaching, here are my two thoughts of unsolicited advice.
1) The key to any coaching job is recruitment of athletes. A talent can run well for any coach. Webb ran fast for Razcko, Salazar, vig, etc. Centro ran well for Powell, Salazar and now Schumacher. So recruit your ass off (his name certainly will help at the lower level schools).
2) Your role model should Alberto Salazar. Not in the sense of using crazy supplements/doctors that probably made you feel uncomfortable as athlete. But in teh sense that Salazar as a coach learned a lot about what not to do as a coach from his own career. Salazar burned it REALLY hot early in his career and had a short career much like Alan.
So let's hope Webb is like Salazar and learned a lot from the mistakes he made in his own career.
But it's great that he's still got a love for the sport after all of the highs and lows he had in it and I wish him the best of luck.
Generally agree with the recruiting assessment. If he wishes to move up in the Division I ranks Alan would have been better off at a top tier Division I program. That way he could prove his recruiting ability. On the other hand, if he enjoys being more of a developmental coach, and can handle being a jack of all trades, he is in the right spot. I never enjoyed the sales side of recruiting, so gravitated toward smaller school programs. Understood the dynamics of coaching better toward the end of my career; probably one reason I got out.
This has to be a stepping stone for him. I know someone who was offered that exact job at UALR a few years ago and it came with just a $35,000 salary.
I coached in that same league and I am assuming the salary would be under $50k unless there was a teaching assignment attached. Teaching would require a masters degree.
WinnytheBish wrote:
bleu wrote:
Says over the distance program. That doesn’t sound like a graduate assistant but a paid position. His wife will have to trade the training in Oregon for Little Rock Arkansas.
The position is a full time, Division 1 position. He is the head cross country coach. I believe he's volunteered a few years at Portland State, so he does have experience. The program is now fully funded and with Alan Webb on staff, hopefully they can bring in some distance talent.
What does this mean for the trucking business? Who knows. Arkansas may be more central to trucking routes, so maybe they have an interest in moving the business? Probably not a great move to do so, but I would guess they're going to sell the franchise or Mrs. Webb will start running it all.
I think Alan Webb will be a good coach. First of all, a lot of kids will want to run for Alan Webb if they know who he is. Based on some interviews I've listened to, he seems like a super great, passionate guy. Most importantly, he knows that he won't be asking his athletes to do the same training that he was able to do during his pro career, that sort of self-awareness will be a wonderful asset to him and the team.
Fun fact : Most kids youre recruting these days dont know who he is. A name isnt everything
Tires and stuff wrote:
What happened to the truck repair business?
Long-term, I have the same question. When Webb started helping at Portland State and was talking about coaching, Ken Goe indicated that Julia Webb was doing most of the day to day work on the truck repair business. That's one thing when you're in Portland, but I can't see how that works from Arkansas. You could hire a manager, but my impression (which could be dead wrong) is the business was more at a "buying yourself a job" stage than the "hire a manager and rake in the profit" stage.
Heard he interviewed at low/mid level D1s all over the country. Must have really wanted to get into coaching.
lkmn wrote:
WHY SHOULD HE GET A BREAK?
Olympian, American record holder, best high school miler of all time, 1:43 800m, 3:30 1500m, 13:10 5,000m, 27:34 10,000m, 8:11 2-mile, international experience, has succeeded, has failed, epic high school runner, personable guy, training knowledge, multiple USA championships, etc....
should i keep going?!
Henry Conrad wrote:
As a huge fan of the sport, I've loved watching Webb for the past, heck, 20 years. His highs have been high and his lows have been low, but no one could ever doubt his drive and passion for the sport.
I would imagine recruiting will be somewhat easier for him than other mid-major programs, given his own personal success and name recognition. Furthermore, I think he does have an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to succeed. He's seen a number of types of training and philosophies from Salazar to Raczko to Vig to Warhurst (feels like I'm missing at least one other major coach). He undoubtedly knows the workouts to sprinkle in. Certainly the sky is the limit here. I'd love to see him build this program into a powerhouse, or at least show increasing success and jump to a Power 5 school that he can raise to a nationally competitive level.
All that being said, I have serious doubts about his abilities as a coach.
First of all, he's always been incredibly mercurial. He has good seasons and bad seasons, good days and bad days. I believe trust and consistency in the process is a key component of success as a distance runner, yet Webb always seemed flighty and ready to shift at the drop of a hat. Heck, he even changed sports at one point! I think his narrow-mindedness or lack of foresight oftentimes led to him making a big change when things didn't go his way in the moment. How will these shifts in mood affect the runners he's coaching? Will he be erratic in his relationships with his athletes? Or in the workouts prescribed?
Secondly, I'd argue that coaching comes down to relationships as much as the physiological component. Webb simply doesn't have the disposition or confidence, in my eyes, to inspire the trust or belief of his young athletes. Have any of you ever spoken to Webb, or seen him speak? He comes off as one of the least "secure-in-your-own-skin" people I've ever met. I've spoken to Webb at numerous meets around the east coast, bounced ideas off of him at Footlocker Nationals, seen him speak at a coaching seminar, and have even had dinner with him (in a small group). The guy is super nice, but his stuttering, erratic, meandering speech patterns and inability to conform to social norms of active listening like making eye contact all serve as huge red flags for me.
I'm not sure why I felt compelled to post this, as I rarely post here at all. Maybe to serve as a "you heard it here first" type statement. Or maybe I just want to foster further discussion on what it takes to be a successful coach and how athletes can make a transition into that arena. Many top athletes haven't made top coaches, as the high-end ability and drive they expect differentiates them from the everyday athletes they're coaching. Either way, I'll be very curious to see how Webb manages. He's a fascinating figure and this additional chapter just adds to his mystique.
That's a lot of drama for a pretty simplistic job. His hardest task will be recruiting; it will be hard to get sub-10 guys to go there. If I was recruited and knew who he was I might still be concerned about him only being there for a year until he finds something better.
Hi ?? A response regarding the truck repair business: We are currently absentee owners at Elite OnSite - have been owning and operating this way since our third baby was born (Jan 2019). It is not a normal franchise. It is considered a “dealership” for Fleet Services International. They get you set up then it is 100% up to you moving forward. No ongoing fees.
Alan has aspired to be a collegiate coach since he retired from triathlon but we initially went a different route after he graduated at Portland State. 6 months after we started Elite OnSite he knew his drive/desire/calling to coach was much stronger. This past fall Alan was completely out of the office and was committed to coaching at PSU. I was still heavily involved with Elite until we hired a staff that could fully run without us being there. The timing was perfect. Our business specializes in OnSite repair/maintenance for fleets and roadside assistance for truck breakdowns. Alan was never the mechanic.
We are excited for this new chapter in our lives - a note we will be turning our house into Airbnb in Beaverton so come stay when you’re visiting Portland (starting mid August) ?
-Julia
Henry Conrad wrote:
As a huge fan of the sport, I've loved watching Webb for the past, heck, 20 years. His highs have been high and his lows have been low, but no one could ever doubt his drive and passion for the sport.
I would imagine recruiting will be somewhat easier for him than other mid-major programs, given his own personal success and name recognition. Furthermore, I think he does have an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to succeed. He's seen a number of types of training and philosophies from Salazar to Raczko to Vig to Warhurst (feels like I'm missing at least one other major coach). He undoubtedly knows the workouts to sprinkle in. Certainly the sky is the limit here. I'd love to see him build this program into a powerhouse, or at least show increasing success and jump to a Power 5 school that he can raise to a nationally competitive level.
All that being said, I have serious doubts about his abilities as a coach.
First of all, he's always been incredibly mercurial. He has good seasons and bad seasons, good days and bad days. I believe trust and consistency in the process is a key component of success as a distance runner, yet Webb always seemed flighty and ready to shift at the drop of a hat. Heck, he even changed sports at one point! I think his narrow-mindedness or lack of foresight oftentimes led to him making a big change when things didn't go his way in the moment. How will these shifts in mood affect the runners he's coaching? Will he be erratic in his relationships with his athletes? Or in the workouts prescribed?
Secondly, I'd argue that coaching comes down to relationships as much as the physiological component. Webb simply doesn't have the disposition or confidence, in my eyes, to inspire the trust or belief of his young athletes. Have any of you ever spoken to Webb, or seen him speak? He comes off as one of the least "secure-in-your-own-skin" people I've ever met. I've spoken to Webb at numerous meets around the east coast, bounced ideas off of him at Footlocker Nationals, seen him speak at a coaching seminar, and have even had dinner with him (in a small group). The guy is super nice, but his stuttering, erratic, meandering speech patterns and inability to conform to social norms of active listening like making eye contact all serve as huge red flags for me.
I'm not sure why I felt compelled to post this, as I rarely post here at all. Maybe to serve as a "you heard it here first" type statement. Or maybe I just want to foster further discussion on what it takes to be a successful coach and how athletes can make a transition into that arena. Many top athletes haven't made top coaches, as the high-end ability and drive they expect differentiates them from the everyday athletes they're coaching. Either way, I'll be very curious to see how Webb manages. He's a fascinating figure and this additional chapter just adds to his mystique.
Geezus, dude, STFU and GTFO.
Have you spent any time w Alan? He's a positive guy, charming, personable, approachable and a good human being and father.
He'll do just fine!
Good luck, Alan, and best of luck to family Webb!
Curiouscat wrote:
I'm really interested in his truck business too. What happened?
It's on the road again.
Awesome that you can hang on to the business! Alan is my all time favorite runner and a big reason why I developed a passion for running. I hope your family has success in Arkansas.
Even if Webb is a little awkward doesn’t that describe just about every other distance runner? Seems like he would fit in with 99% of his athletes.
Wish you all the best!