What its Like to Coach Mike Fout.pdf - iatccc

What It’s s Like to
Coach Mike Fout,
2007 Footlocker
National Champion
Every Coach Deserves This: I
Happened to Get Lucky!
1

My Coaching Background
It takes a great runner to coach
a great runner…
–This fallacy almost kept me
from coaching
A PASSION for the sport is the
key ingredient
A good coach could be successful
in any sport
“Borrowed Ideas”
Former La Porte Coach Greg Hunt
Duneland Athletic Conference
coaches…many to learn from
New Prairie’s s Doug Snyder is worth
emulating
Clinics such as the IATCCC (expose
you to the Indiana legends) and
Midwest Distance Summit
Print research…books, magazines,
Harrier…
2

How is Coaching Mike Different?
Basically the same training patterns
A bit more open communication to track
the extra training Mike does on his own
(weights, etc.)
Greater time commitment due to:
– Keeping a log…college $$$
– Fielding calls and meeting with colleges
– Travel requirements
Goals for every race…how can Mike
improve himself in a duel meet?
Goal: National Champion
Goal setting is a continuously revolving
process…FLN Champion would have seemed like
a far-fetched fetched goal without adjustments along the
way. Writing down goals leads to accountability.
Key goal changing events:
– Pre HS: AAU success
– FR: top 4 on team
– SO: 7 th place at state in 3200 meter
– JR: defeating De’Sean
Turner
– JR: setting LPHS 3200 meter record on first day of the
season…why?
– JR: strategically placed PR’s
– JR: 3200 meter state champion
– JR: 11 th place at Nike Outdoor National
3

Evolving Goals…cont.
– SR: sub 15 first meet
– SR: course record @ New Prairie
– SR: course record @ Culver (in loss)
– SR: state title
– SR: Mideast Meet of Champions come
from behind victory
– SR: Midwest Footlocker Victory to
avenge only “loss” of the season
FLN: Mental Preparation
Two weeks prior: “I I think I can win
in San Diego”
Week of: “Maybe top five would be
good”
Day Before: “I I don’t t want to finish
last but I will be taking some risk”
Day Of: “I I feel great”
4

Mike “Stressed Just Before Start”
Mike stalking Luke Puskedra
5

Mike made his move at 2.1 miles…planned?
400 meters later…
6

Characteristics That Make Mike
Fout a Champion
Non Coachable
– Naturally Gifted Runner: “The White Kenyan”
– Physiological Composition
– Freakish Aerobic Capacity
Coachable (Mike almost had these mastered)
– Desire to be the best
– Work ethic that fosters that desire
– Competitive nature
Coachable (Mike needed some guidance)
– Workout plan…short term, long term…limit number of
competitive races
– Race strategies…have a purpose and plan every race
– Confidence…if if a runner does not believe he will win, he won’t
– Leadership skills…making Mike captain starting Sophomore
year was a role that helped him mature
A Look at Mike Fout
7

Freshman Year
Pre Season (10 weeks): 304 miles
Goals:
– Mike: 17:30 and top 7, team reach sectionals
– Coach: 16:59 and top 5
Highlights: 17:29 PR and top 4
Setbacks: sat out 2 meets due to knee
pain
Training Notes: probably right on
Sophomore Year
Pre Season (10 weeks): 538 miles
Goals:
– Mike: 16:24, qualify for state, team
reach state
– Coach: 16:19 and qualify for state
Highlights: 17:08 PR
Setbacks: shin splints by Sept…out
until postseason at 75%
Training Notes: too much / too little
8

Junior Year
Pre Season (10 weeks): 546 miles
Goals:
– Mike: 15:29, qualify for state, team
reach state
– Coach: 15:09 and all-state
Highlights: 15:07 PR, wins at New
Prairie, DAC, Sectional, Regional,
qualified for state
Setbacks: runner’s s knee, never ran a
practice after Culver, bypassed state
Training Notes: very conservative
Senior Year
Pre Season (10 weeks): 444 miles
Goals:
– Mike: stay healthy, be a great leader,
14:59, set New Prairie & Culver course
records, win state, qualify for FLN, team
podium
– Coach: 14:55 and we were in
agreement and set the above goals
together
cont…
9

Senior Year Highlights
New Prairie Course Record (Jason
Casiano)
Culver 15:05 (Nef Araia)
State Champion
Mideast Meet of Champions Winner 14:59
(Bob Kennedy)
Footlocker MW Champion 14:56
Footlocker National Champion 14:50
Training Notes: very conservative
What Are the Goals for the 2008
Track Season?
– Minimum: 3200 meter state champion
– Realistic: 3200 meter state record, top
three at NON, double or triple at state
– Ideal: NON champion in low 8:40’s
10