Coach Morton and Friends Real Talk
By Brandon Morton
This podcast is conversation based with coaches and athletes that I have known(or known of) for years. We will talk about their stories of how they got into the sport and profession of coaching, current events in track and field and training.
Coach Morton and Friends Real TalkNov 12, 2020
00:00
01:04:34
Life Thoughts and Sports Training with T Price Collab with Real Talk with Coach Morton and Friends
1. Most Unique experience during your journey as a coach.
2. Training over the Break.
3. Clemson cancels Men's track and field and cross country.
Nov 12, 202001:04:34
Episode 1 with Life Thoughts and Sports Training Collab with Real Talk with Coach Morton and Friends
1. All Time Women's 4x100 draft-Pick a female sprinter from any time in history. You can only pick from a country once and no one can be picked after another person has picked them.
2. Training philosophy-General overview and philosophy on how we train our athletes. Some of the why's and hows.
3. A time we got it wrong with an athlete.
4. All Time Men's 4x100 draft-Pick a male sprinter from any time in history. You can only pick from a country once and no one can be picked after another person has picked them.
Oct 22, 202001:14:42
Legendary Coach John Smith of HSI
This interview is truly near and dear to my heart. John Smith is one of the few coaches I looked up to from afar and idolized from the time I got into the profession of coaching.
John Walton Smith Jr. is considered the best track & field sprints and hurdles coach in the world. For decades he has produced multiple male and female Olympic and World Championships medalists. He’s earned multiple Coach of the Year titles, and was also the US National Team coach in 2005 for the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Some of the greats he’s coached include: indoor and outdoor world record holder Maurice Greene, Olympic medalist – Ato Boldon, Olympic medalist – Quincy Watts, Olympic Medalist – Carmelita Jeter, World Champion – Torri Edwards and many others.
On this episode
-Coach Smith's upbringing in California in the 50s and 60s.
-The influence of the church on him.
-Black panthers, Muhammad Ali and Angela Davis
-His transformation while at UCLA.
-1972 Munich Olympics
-Acting career
-Transition into coaching
-Maurice Greene vs Bruny Surin at the 99 World Championships
And much more....
Sep 26, 202001:57:30
Tempest Vance-NC A&T Associate Head Coach
Tempest Vance has been at NC&T since the arrival of Coach Duane Ross. They along with the rest of the staff have developed a good program into a great program with world class speed and national championship aspirations. We talk about the progression of the program from good to great, her role and training goals within her event group.
Sep 14, 202042:25
Gabe Sanders-Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Boston University
Gabe Sanders is one of the well known coaches in our industry and continues to be one of the inspiring young coaches in our field. On this episode we talk about Gabe's unique ability to produce fast relays at Ivy League Schools, the importance of understanding multiple systems and who has been the biggest influences on his career. We discuss other topics as well so please make sure to listen to this one.
Sep 09, 202001:06:55
Willie Randolph-Florida Atlantic University XC and Track and Field Associate Head Coach
Willie goes into detail about his past experiences as a coach and the mentors that influenced him along the way. He also goes into detail about his New Book entitled "Faith in the Eye of The Storm". This one is an emotional interview and one that offers alot of insight into Willie as a person and coach.
Aug 31, 202057:26
Ritchie Beene-Head Cross Country and Track and Field at Alabama State University
Ritchie Beene has been a staple of the Alabama State University Cross Country and Track and Field Program for 23 years, 10 as an assistant and 13 as the head coach of all three programs. During his tenure as assistant coach, he helped lead the cross country and track and field teams to 13 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships and the men’s team to two. He led the women’s cross country team to four championships and three top finishes for the men’s team.
Since taking over the reins in 2008, Beene has led the women’s cross country teams to seven SWAC championships, 9 indoor track and field Championships and 8 outdoor SWAC Championships. He has also coached the men to one cross country SWAC championship and two indoor SWAC championship.
In this episode we talk about what its like to stay motivated from the top, communication with athletes in regards to training and his start in the sport and profession of coaching.
Since taking over the reins in 2008, Beene has led the women’s cross country teams to seven SWAC championships, 9 indoor track and field Championships and 8 outdoor SWAC Championships. He has also coached the men to one cross country SWAC championship and two indoor SWAC championship.
In this episode we talk about what its like to stay motivated from the top, communication with athletes in regards to training and his start in the sport and profession of coaching.
Aug 11, 202044:13
Danny Williamson-Former Western Carolina, Lenoir Rhyne and UNC Asheville Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
Coach Danny Williamson has been a mentor to myself as well as many, many others and has a coaching tree that extends throughout the NCAA on all levels. On this episode he talks about his development as a coach, mentors and his training methodology (including the whys and hows behind it.). We talk about some of the coaches (that started as his athletes) that he has had profound impact on not only in their coaching but as people. This interview was really near and dear to my heart because Coach Danny has helped myself and so many others.
Aug 04, 202001:01:24
Mike Cunningham Takeover-Brandon Morton Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Converse College and Host of The Real Talk with Coach Morton and Friends Podcast
Mike Cunningham took over the mic on this episode to interview myself. We talk about how my transition from athletics into coaching. We also talk about coaches that have had a huge influence on me and how I do things as well as what led me to begin podcasting.
Jul 28, 202046:48
Lionel Nau-Western Kentucky Jumps Coach
Lionel goes into depth about his experiences as an international student athlete and stories about training as a post collegiate with Olympians such as Otis Harris and Allen Johnson. He also tells some great stories about his beginnings in the coaching field and how he was tasked with building the Tusculum Track and Field program from scratch.
Jul 21, 202001:23:07
Charles Ryan-University of California, Assistant Coach (Sprints/Hurdles/Relays)
Charles talks about his journey from top tier NCAA athlete at UCLA and University of South Carolina, to Club Coaching and mentoring youth in Tennessee. He also speaks on some of his philosophy in the women's short hurdles, drug testing protocols and his friendship with Olympic Gold Medalist Tianna Bartoletta.
Jul 10, 202001:13:43
Manteo Mitchell- Olympian and Western Carolina University Alum
In this episode we talk about the 2012 Olympic season and events building up to a 4x400 that would forever change his life. With the current events in track and field being mostly due to missed drug tests from some of our top stars we talk about the drug testing culture within track and field. How hard is it to be where you need to be for a drug test?
Jun 30, 202040:15
Jebreh Harris-University of Illinois Asst Track and Field-Middle Distances and Long Sprints
Jebreh Harris has done alot in a career that saw him become a two time NCAA All American, as well as become a successful professional athlete. Jebreh was ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in the 800m in 2007. He competed in two Olympic Trials Finals (2004 & 2008) and seven total U.S. Outdoor Championships. Harris was a member of the American record-breaking 4x800m relay team, which finished with a time of 7:02.82 in Brussels, Belgium.
As a coach Jebreh has been influenced by some of the best which he talks about in this interview. He also goes into his philosophy and how his time as a professional helped him become a better coach.
Jun 24, 202051:02
Lennox Graham-Assistant Track and Field Clemson University
Lennox talks about his development in the sport and how he was introduced to coaching the hurdles specifically. He also goes into detail about training Danielle Williams the 2015 World Champion in the 100m hurdles.
Jun 22, 202052:09
Dean Walsh- Union College Head Basketball Coach
Dean talks about how he got started in the sport of basketball and how he has evolved over the years as a coach. Dean was able to come in and right away turn the Union College program around. They had a program record of 26 wins and made a trip to the NAIA National Tournament. He also had the first All American in program history in Brook Hammonds.
Jun 19, 202047:45
Marissa Chew- IUPUI Assistant Track and Field Coach
Marissa goes into detail about her background as an athlete and coach. We discuss her coaching style and what was her motivation behind the Coaches Collab Group on Facebook, as well as her experience working on the Athletics LLC Youtube Show with Charles Ryan, Mike Holloway and Chris Huffins.
Jun 16, 202035:19
Social Justice, Coaching Education and Track and Field Popularity in the USA.
1. We talk about The George Floyd murder and what has happened since.
2. We also cover the coaching education model in the US.
3. What is missing from our sport to gain more viewership?
2. We also cover the coaching education model in the US.
3. What is missing from our sport to gain more viewership?
Jun 12, 202001:33:11
Chris Layne-Milligan College Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
Chris Layne has been at Milligan since 1999 and has developed the cross country and track and field programs into NAIA national powerhouses. In this episode he talks about how he got the program to the point where it is now, as well as the development of Hannah Segrave from a 200-400 high school sprinter to a NAIA National Champion and professional runner.
May 29, 202047:56
Beverly Kearney
Bev Kearney is truly a legend in our sport that has accomplished a ton on and off the track. She gives us insight into her background and how she got into coaching, the difference between winning and being a winner, and competing vs performance.
Has led Texas to six NCAA Championships
· 3-time NCAA Outdoor Champions (1998, '99, 2005)
· 3-time NCAA Indoor Champions (1998, '99, 2006)
· Posted 14 top-three team finishes at NCAA's
· 3-time NCAA Outdoor Coach of the Year (1997, '98, 2005)
· 2-time NCAA Indoor Coach of the Year (1999, 2006)
· 15-time Conference Coach of the Year
2012 - The BET Honors Education Award[17][18] for achievements and accomplishments as a coach and mentor.
2011 - Selected as one of the 2011 faces for Oil of Olay’s “Positive Role Models In Our Community” Promo.[19]
2011 - Women of Distinction Honoree by Girl Scouts of Central Texas - Austin area[4]
2009 - Named one of "50 Women on a Mission" and Women Who Are Changing the World by Woman's Day magazine.[20]
2008 - Auburn University, Lifetime Achievement Award[21]
2004 - Inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame[
Has led Texas to six NCAA Championships
· 3-time NCAA Outdoor Champions (1998, '99, 2005)
· 3-time NCAA Indoor Champions (1998, '99, 2006)
· Posted 14 top-three team finishes at NCAA's
· 3-time NCAA Outdoor Coach of the Year (1997, '98, 2005)
· 2-time NCAA Indoor Coach of the Year (1999, 2006)
· 15-time Conference Coach of the Year
2012 - The BET Honors Education Award[17][18] for achievements and accomplishments as a coach and mentor.
2011 - Selected as one of the 2011 faces for Oil of Olay’s “Positive Role Models In Our Community” Promo.[19]
2011 - Women of Distinction Honoree by Girl Scouts of Central Texas - Austin area[4]
2009 - Named one of "50 Women on a Mission" and Women Who Are Changing the World by Woman's Day magazine.[20]
2008 - Auburn University, Lifetime Achievement Award[21]
2004 - Inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame[
May 21, 202001:33:11
Calvin Robinson-Texas Tech Assistant Men's and Women's Sprints and Hurdles Coach.
Texas Tech Red Raiders won their first NCAA outdoor National Championship in 2019. A big part of the effort came from the sprints and hurdles group. Led by Divine Oduduru's NCAA record runs of 9.86 in the 100m and 19.73 in the 200m, the Red Raiders won one of the most competitive NCAA Championship meets in recent history. Calvin Robinson coached the sprints and hurdles and played a significant part in the development of Oduduru and Andrew Hudson as well as others. On this episode Coach Robinson talks about everything from his training philosopy, to the communication with his athletes throughout the season.
May 19, 202051:23
Curtis Taylor-University of Oregon Associate Head Coach
After an illustrious career developing world-class talent at the high school and junior college levels, Curtis Taylor joined the Oregon coaching staff before the 2014 season, immediately helping the Ducks reach new heights in the sprints, relays and hurdles. He was promoted to Associate Head Coach in March of 2017 after helping lead the Women of Oregon to their seventh indoor national title in an eight-year span and earning USTFCCCA National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
In this episode Curtis goes into detail about his training methodology and how the sciences and experience has played a significant role in his training philosophy.
In this episode Curtis goes into detail about his training methodology and how the sciences and experience has played a significant role in his training philosophy.
May 14, 202047:54
Jim Sprecher-Lynchburg College Head Cross country and Track and Field
Jim goes into detail about his introduction into sports and coaching. He talks about some of the lessons he learned while working at Baylor University with Clyde Hart as well as some of his training philosophies.
May 13, 202031:27
Mont Johnson-Johnson C. Smith University Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
Lamont is well known throughout the coaching community. He has knowledge on the sport from a business and training standpoint. The thing that I think anyone would notice in this interview is his passion for the sport and his athletes. It makes for a very good episode.
May 12, 202001:17:08
Mike cunningham-National Sales Manager for Gill Athletics
Mike provides us with insight into hos coaching background and how it has led to a career in sales. We also talk about how a career in coaching has influenced his career in sales for Gill Athletics.
May 07, 202001:23:36
David Johnston-Assistant Track and Field Coach Western Carolina
David “DJ” Johnston is by far the most experienced coach I’ve ever worked with. He has had the pleasure to work and talk with the likes of Tom Tellez, John Smith and Brooks Johnson. He is most noted for the creation of the "Six-Stride Mark Chart", which deals with the approach run speeds in long jump and pole vault, as well as stride lengths and performance success. With extensive knowledge and experience in Approach Run velocities and accuracies, DJ is a clinician at camps and clinics worldwide. His presentations include the "Physics of Speed" and technical models in the triple jump, pole vault ("19+Plus"), hurdles, high jump ("The Natural High Jump") and 4x100m Relay ("The Timed Method of Establishing a "Go" Mark" and "Fundamentals of the 4x100 Relay Overhand Baton Pass")
May 04, 202001:59:39
Petros Kyprianou-University of Georgia Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
Petros brings a ton of knowledge in the multis and technical events to this episode. He also goes into detail about his start in coaching and some of his coaching practices being influenced by Russia, Bulgaria, and eastern Europe.
Apr 29, 202040:48
Jared Boane-Asst Strength and Conditioning and track and field.
Coach Boane give us insight into how his mind works in the weightroom and when developing young athletes. He has been able to work with a wide range of athletes in the weightroom from track and field to football. He has an rxtensive background in exercise science and works within the exercise science department at SC State University.
Apr 27, 202001:03:23
David Oliver-Howard University Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
This episode features multiple time US Champion, 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2010 World Championship Bronze Medalist, and 2013 Gold Medalist at the 2013 Moscow World Championships David Oliver. David is now the Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at Howard University, his alma mater. He goes into some of his background as an athlete as well as his coaching methods when working with his athletes at Howard. Also he talks about how his experiences as a world best athlete has influenced his coaching style.
Apr 23, 202001:04:49
Rephel Martin-Owner and Creator of The Kinetic Link.
Rephel Martin talks about his involvement in the sport as an elite level athlete and coach thats helped athletes to conference championships, 1st round qualifying standards and NCAA Championship appearances. However, when circumstances demanded more of an artistic approach to problem solving, he was able to create and build a device, which would help address many of the questions he had in his head about rehab and development movement coordination. He goes into detail about the process and each stage in the creation of The Kinetic Link.
Apr 20, 202057:29
Udon Cheek-East Carolina University Assistant Track and Field Coach
Udon is a very passionate but smart and full of wisdom that a lot of younger coaches can truly benefit from. I think his passion really shows within this interview.
He is truly unique and creative in his approach to communication with the athletes both on a personal and professional level. We talk about his approach to motivating athletes within workouts and his coaching influences as well as how he sees movement.
This was a good one. Please enjoy!!!
He is truly unique and creative in his approach to communication with the athletes both on a personal and professional level. We talk about his approach to motivating athletes within workouts and his coaching influences as well as how he sees movement.
This was a good one. Please enjoy!!!
Apr 14, 202001:01:38
Tim Langford-University of Oklahoma Head Cross Country and Track and Field
Tim Langford has been able to develop athletes to levels that see them get to numerous NCAA National Championships both indoor and outdoor. He has been known to do this at schools with very limited budgets. This ability has allowed him to ascend to University of Oklahoma where he is now the Interim Head Coach for the Cross Country and Track Program.
He has quickly hit stride while at OU. With the Covid 19 stopping everyone's season, Tim took time to appear on an episode of Real Talk. In this interview he goes over his path from being an athlete to getting into coaching. He also goes over different levels of athlete competency, differences in coaching vs training and the development of 2019 Toyota USATF Indoor 60m Champion Demek Kemp as well as 2019 NCAA Indoor 400m Champion Tyrell Richards.
He has quickly hit stride while at OU. With the Covid 19 stopping everyone's season, Tim took time to appear on an episode of Real Talk. In this interview he goes over his path from being an athlete to getting into coaching. He also goes over different levels of athlete competency, differences in coaching vs training and the development of 2019 Toyota USATF Indoor 60m Champion Demek Kemp as well as 2019 NCAA Indoor 400m Champion Tyrell Richards.
Apr 11, 202001:23:28
Dante Butler-Head Track and Field Coach at Boiling Springs High School in Boiling Springs, SC
Dante has been a great friend for the past 15 years. He has coached many levels ranging from club and AAU, Public and Private high school, and NCAA D1. He has a common sense approach but also understands the importance of speed, power and proper recovery.
His mentality is one that is faith based and his communication style derives from his God father and a history in football and other team sports.
Apr 10, 202056:59
Ben Paxton-Winthrop University Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
Ben Paxton has been at the helm of Winthrop Track and Field since 1993. During that time he has had numerous All Americans, NCAA Qualifiers, Big South All Conference Performers and Big South Conference Champions.
in this interview he goes in depth about how he got involved in the sport and coaching. He also goes into detail about training setup for distance events and high jump.
in this interview he goes in depth about how he got involved in the sport and coaching. He also goes into detail about training setup for distance events and high jump.
Apr 08, 202049:12
David Pickett-North Greenville University Assistant Track and Field Coach
David has been like a younger brother over the past 10 years. He is a track enthusiasts but he is also a very good coach. While at North Greenville David has developed two of the fastest sprinters in all of division 2 track and field.
In this interview he talks about his introduction into sports, people that have influenced him throughout his career as well as insight into the training of JJ Sherman and Tevin Richardson.
In this interview he talks about his introduction into sports, people that have influenced him throughout his career as well as insight into the training of JJ Sherman and Tevin Richardson.
Apr 08, 202055:22
Kenny Anderson-Johnson C. Smith University Assistant Track and Field Coach
Kenny Anderson has been at Johnson C Smith for 2 years and has quickly made a name for himself as a great recruiter and very knowledgeable coach. If you keep up with his social media then you can get insight into the type of personality he has.
In this episode he talks about how he got into coaching, his weekly practice setup and communication being key to athlete buy in. Kenny has a great future in the sport, so please take a listen.
In this episode he talks about how he got into coaching, his weekly practice setup and communication being key to athlete buy in. Kenny has a great future in the sport, so please take a listen.
Apr 06, 202039:09
Tyree Price- Bethune Cookman Jumps Assistant Coach
Tyree Price has been in the coaching profession for 19 years. He has coached a number of All Americans, MEAC All Conference Performers and MEAC Conference Champions.
We talk about coaches that influenced him as well as his approach to training his athletes. He goes into some detail to explain the progression of improvement in his athletes. I hope you enjoy.
We talk about coaches that influenced him as well as his approach to training his athletes. He goes into some detail to explain the progression of improvement in his athletes. I hope you enjoy.
Apr 06, 202040:45
Johnny Bomar-Wofford Head Cross Country and Track and FIeld Coach
Coach Bomar is a blue collar coach that is great a development. He is a generalist which is becoming a lost art in this day and age of specializing early. He has coached athletes to 1st round qualifiers in the sprints and hurdles to having a 3k steeplechase first team all American.
He talks about how his personality influences his training as well as how his knowledge in the sprints has influenced him as a distance coach.
Please enjoy!!
He talks about how his personality influences his training as well as how his knowledge in the sprints has influenced him as a distance coach.
Please enjoy!!
Apr 03, 202032:26
Cord Sgaglio-Head Cross Country Coach at Limestone University
In this episode of Real Talk with Coach Morton and Friends, I catch up with my old assistant Cord Sgaglio. He is now the Head Cross Country and Assistant Track and FIeld Coach at Limestone University. Cord has a background in developing athletes from scratch and talks about the generalist approach to coaching. He also gives his philosophy on speed for distance runners and a more quality based approach to distance running.
We touch on everything from why take a quality based approach over a high mileage approach and Art vs Science. I hope you enjoy.
We touch on everything from why take a quality based approach over a high mileage approach and Art vs Science. I hope you enjoy.
Apr 03, 202035:39
Mark Rennix- Converse College Assistant Cross Country and Track and FIeld Coach
Mark Rennix is one of the bright young minds in our sport. He has a great grasp on training for distance running events. His approach to training seems to be a mixture of common sense/older school mentality combined with a some of the modern approaches in our sport. Mark is a flexible coach that is willing to do what it takes so that the athlete experiences continued improvement.
He sits down to talk about that approach and how he got into the sport as well as other topics.
He sits down to talk about that approach and how he got into the sport as well as other topics.
Apr 03, 202036:18
Mica Mccoy-Sprints and Jumps Coach Nations Ford High School
Mica is the definition of educator. He is a guidance counselor at Winget Park Elementary in Charlotte, NC. He has also been coaching track and field for the past 16 years. He was the first coach in York County to have a women's 4x100 state championship while at Rock Hill High and did the same the following year at Northwestern High. He has had numerous SC 4A and 5A all state qualifiers and State Champions. In this interview we talk about his entry into sports, also what led him to begin coaching and his overall philosophy on coaching. It is an insightful interview from one of the best coaches in the state of SC.
Apr 01, 202034:20
Bobbie Schreiner-Winthrop University Associate Head Track and Field Coach
Coach Schreiner is the sprints, hurdles, jumps, relays and multis coach at Winthrop University. She was my coach from 3 of my 4 years at Winthrop. She has been coaching for 19 years and 17 of those have been at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC and has had numerous NCAA 1st round and NCAA Championship qualifiers. On this episode she talks about periodization of training, using a 3pt stance in the horizontal jumps and the overall challenges faces the modern day coach. We get into some other topics as well.
Enjoy!!!
Enjoy!!!
Apr 01, 202035:31
Ted Whitaker-Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at Savannah State University
Coach Whitaker has been another mentor and sort of a father figure to me since I got into coaching. Coach Whitaker began his career in 1965 and has had a ton of success on both the high school and college level. Coach Whitaker has a very commonsense approach to teaching and communication and this shines through during the interview.
In this episode he talks about his background in the sport and his training methodology.
Enjoy!!
In this episode he talks about his background in the sport and his training methodology.
Enjoy!!
Mar 29, 202001:08:43
Jim Patchell- Head Coach of Arkansas State Cross Country and Track and Field.
Coach Patchell has been coaching track and field for 26 years with positions at University of Arkansas, Tulane, Campbell University and his alma mater Arkansas State University. On this episode is a general talk on his development as a coach and his philosophy on training.
Mar 28, 202055:03