Getting my first coaching job was like a dream come true. Ever since my Dad coached me in little league soccer, I wanted to be a coach. In the fall of 2008, I was lucky to have my first big coaching job fall into my lap.
I’d spent the prior 2 years as a volunteer cross-country/track & field coach at the University of Texas. During this time, I had the chance to work closely with some of the most talented middle-distance and distance athletes in the country. Throughout the spring and summer of 2008, I diligently applied for every open coaching job in the NCAA. I had aspirations of coaching at a top-tier NCAA Division I school. However, I didn't have much luck landing interviews. After months of rejection, getting a job in the profession at all seemed impossible.
Then, one of the athletes I had the privilege of coaching as a volunteer at Texas, Leo Manzano, asked me if I would work with him on a temporary basis. It was the fall of 2008. Leo was on the brink of starting his professional career and finishing up his education. At that time, he didn't have a coach and needed someone to work with him through the end of the fall semester. I jumped at the chance to work with him; it was my only opportunity. I knew Leo well. We clicked right away, and I understood the training that worked best for him thus far in his career. What started as a temporary job quickly solidified into a long-term partnership.
When Leo started having success at the professional level, it opened the door to an incredible opportunity to work as a contracted coach for Nike. I got to coach a fantastic group of distance runners from all over the world. Together, we achieved some incredible things, with athletes qualifying for major Track & Field championships every year from 2009 to 2013. We even brought home World Championship and Olympic Medals, establishing our team as the top US-based group during that period.
Coaching at the elite level took me all over the world: Mexico, Europe, South Korea, Japan, Morocco… my passport was full of stamps! Along the way, I soaked up every opportunity to learn from other coaches and athletes and refine my coaching skills. Some of the most memorable moments were having dinner with Usain Bolt in London, training with back-to-back NYC marathon champion German Silva in Mexico, sharing an apartment with sprint coach Bobby Kersey in South Korea, and altitude training in St. Moritz.
Despite our success, the demands of coaching at this level became overwhelming. Constant travel, altitude training, and international racing schedules meant I had to be away from home for extended periods. During this time, I proposed to my now-wife, Anne. We wanted to start a family one day, and I realized that the demands of coaching at this elite level might not align with my aspirations for family life. Ultimately, I made the decision to step away from coaching elite athletes, but the experience taught me invaluable lessons that I carry with me to this day.
After my time coaching elite athletes, I finally did find a place in the NCAA and transitioned to coaching at the collegiate level. I became the Head Coach for the men's and women’s XC and Track & Field teams at a small private university in my hometown of Austin, Texas. There, I took both the men's and women's teams to their best Conference Championship placement in program history.
Additionally, I've also coached with a local running club, assisting runners of all levels achieve their goals, from returning from injury to regular training, to completing their first marathon, and helping others finally attain their Boston Qualifier after multiple attempts. I drew upon my experiences working with the best coaches and athletes in the world, applying these same training principles to help everyday runners experience success.
Throughout my coaching career, I've had the privilege of working with athletes of all levels and abilities. Whether it's guiding world-class athletes to podium finishes or helping beginners take their first steps in the sport, coaching has always been incredibly rewarding for me. I love getting to know my athletes, identifying what they need to be the best version of themselves, and then going through the process each day to achieve their goals together.
Now, technology has evolved to the point where I've proven I can effectively help all runners pursue their dreams by coaching them virtually. For the past year, I've been coaching runners virtually with a similar version of The Run Plan system with great results. So far, we've had first-time marathon finishers, multiple PRs (5km to Marathon), and BQs. I can now provide my athletes with an individualized training plan, that tracks progress real time, includes instructional video clips and original content on all things running from me. We've proven it works, and I am excited to coach more runners this way.
If you’re looking for a coach to take your running to the next level, I’d love to help you get there. I'll keep you accountable and provide everything you need to succeed in your run training. As is broadcasted all over the site, Rule # 1: You just have to show up.
Check out our plans, and pick the one that's best for you!
Welcome to The Run Plan!
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