Obviously I believe coaching matters. I saw two prime examples this past weekend in soccer. First my good friend Juan Osorio is now coach of New York Red Bulls. I watched their game against Dallas last Saturday. With the lineup New York was able to put on the field they should not have been on the same field with Dallas, but because of their technical, tactical and fitness preparation they won the game 1-0 and essentially dominated play. It has been fun to watch the progress of the team. I am sure when they get their two premier players back they will be a contender. Juan is unbelievably thorough as a coach, very detailed and meticulous in his preparation. The other situation was to watch Russia take apart the Netherlands in the second overtime at the European Championship quarter final game. The coach of Russia, Gus Hiddink has to be one of the greatest soccer coaches ever! What he has done with South Korea in the 02 World Cup, Australia in the 06 World Cup and now Russia is amazing. I do not know what they do in terms of fitness preparation but all of his teams get stronger as the game progresses. Go HERE to see some great game analysis statistics. The intensity of play is unreal!
The other coach I want to mention is Bob Williams, Bob coaches middle distance and distance in Portland, Oregon. I got to work with Bob three years ago when I was out in Portland. This guy is real quiet, definitely not a self promoter but boy does he get the job done. He is now coaching the high school boy who won the USA Track & Field Junior Championships in the 800 meters as a high school junior! He ran the 4th fastest time all-time for a junior. His methodology is very sound. He ran for Bill Bowerman and has stayed true to the Bowerman principles. All you middle distance and distance coaches out there take note, it is not more it is what you do.
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