Stay ConnectedUnlock the world of track & field coaching with The Gill Connections Podcast! Host Mike Cunningham brings you inspiring stories, real conversations, and coaching insights from leaders at every level. Discover a new coach’s interview every Monday. Plus, don’t miss the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts with our NEW Gill1918 Project episodes Tuesday-Sunday — short, powerful lessons from top coaches to help you grow on and off the track.
Powered by Gill Athletics — Supporting Coaches Since 1918.
🎙️ "We Can't Be Great in April and Mediocre in May" – Chad Blank, Clarinda HS (IA)
This week’s guest is more than a coach — he’s a track guy, a school counselor, and a leadership cultivator in small-town Iowa. Meet Chad Blank, head coach at Clarinda High School, who blends rural grit, Mike Tomlin inspiration, and student-centered mentorship to build a team culture that peaks when it matters most.
🔑 In this episode:
🧠 Why leadership must be taught — not just expected
🔥 How Mike Tomlin’s quote “Don’t run away from coaching” reshaped Chad’s program
💡 Coaching in Clarinda: small town, big expectations
🏃♂️ From gravel tracks to national coaching impact
📈 Why performance in May matters more than medals in April
🎓 How being a school counselor fuels his coaching mindset
📣 Chad’s transition from college athlete to coach after injury — and what it taught him about purpose
💬 “We can't be a great team in April and a mediocre team in May.” — Chad Blank
Whether you coach in a powerhouse program or a town with no Walmart, Chad’s story will inspire you to rethink how you shape your team, your culture, and your own growth as a leader.
🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.
🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.
📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
• Dr. Simone Erdner's website: DearCoachBook.com
• Free eBook download of Dear Coach
• The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks
***
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
• Dr. Simone Erdner's website: DearCoachBook.com
• Free eBook download of Dear Coach
• The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks
***
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
🎧 "Amalgamation of Greatness" with Colin Hunter
📍 Byron Center, MI | Head Coach & Engineering Teacher
From robot design to relay strategy, Colin Hunter's journey into coaching is anything but typical. A former engineer and homeschooled football lineman, Colin shares how his love for running, passion for people, and relentless curiosity led him to lead one of Michigan’s rising high school track programs.
🔑 In this episode:
🏃♂️ From 2:40 marathoner to pole vault coach—with no track background!
🛠️ Why engineering made him a better coach (hint: spreadsheets and systems)
🧠 Lessons on identity, confidence, and leadership from The Twin Thieves
📚 His candid battle with fear of judgment—and how it’s made him a better mentor
📈 Building a track culture vs. simply coaching events
🏆 "A good track team is an amalgamation of a bunch of different kids." – Colin Hunter
💡Book Recommendation: The Twin Thieves by Steve Jones & Lucas Jadin
Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, Colin’s story is a refreshing reminder that there’s no one path into coaching—but connection, care, and culture always win.
🌟 Explore Our Library: Dive into 300+ episodes featuring insights from coaching legends such as Boo Schexnayder and Dan Pfaff, Diljeet Taylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more for your listening pleasure.
🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode: Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Project episode, which airs every Tuesday through Sunday. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections Podcast Network.
📲 Stay Connected: Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com, or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #ByCoachesForCoaches #TrackCoach #TedTalksOfTrackFieldPodcast
Jeff presents another podcast that goes over how to coach high jump at meets. Covers things like how to warm up properly, pick starting heights, create and use effective cues, handle athletes in running events while jumping, and keeping track of misses.
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #CoachesHelpingCoaches #TrackCoach #AthleticsTraining
5. THE LAST / FINAL STEP OF THE LJ APPROACH
A. Put the T/O foot down FLAT on to the T/O board. Not on your toe: not with the heel first....FLAT !!!
B. Maintain a PERPENDICULAR POSTURE throughout this part of the jump.
C. DO NOT have a full cycle of the T/O leg ( last step ) as you place it on the board. Simply scoot the leg through and put the foot down.
D. The T/O STEP is the SHORTEST STEP / STRIDE in the LJ Approach.
6. THE TAKE OFF
A. The upper body must remain a PERPENDICULAR posture to and through the entire T/O process.
B. There must be a checking or delaying of the onset of rotation with the arm opposite the T/O leg at the moment the athlete leaves the board.
C. The Leading Leg must come through with the heel tight to the butt to create a SHORT, FAST MOVING LEVER at this T/O moment.
D. Instruct the athlete to RUN THROUGH the T/O Board....NOT TO the T/O Board. This will assist in maintaining speed until the last possible moment.
7. AIR MECHANICS AND LANDING
A. The HANG, HITCH KICK or HITCH HANG are all efficient techniques to be used. No one technique is better than the other. The purpose each of these techniques serves is to help delay the premature onset of rotation so the athlete can establish a good extension at landing.
B. Maintain a PERPENDICULAR posture as long as possible as you leave the T/O board.
C. Instruct the athlete to delay the extension of the legs until the last possible instant of deceleration.
***
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #CoachesHelpingCoaches #TrackCoach #AthleticsTraining
3. THE RUNWAY
A. The entire length of the approach must go from SLOW to FAST. The fastest part occuring at the moment of Take Off ( T/O ).
B. The RHYTHM of the approach should be smooth, consistent and maintained throughout the entire approach.
C. COUNTING ( out loud or to yourself ) can greatly assist in developing the above stated RHYTHM.
D. While correct Sprint Mechanics must strive for perfection during the approach, an ' elastic loading ' ( or SPLITS ) must occur on each successive stride. In effect, this is an increase of the actual stride length of the athlete, all the while maintaining excellent sprint technique.
4. THE PENULTIMATE STEP
A. The athlete must remain PERPENDICULAR throughout the approach...This means the UPPER BODY is sitting / postured directly over the LOWER BODY. There can be NO leaning backwards or forwards in any part of the approach and take off.
B. The PENULTIMATE STEP ( second last step of the approach ) is always the LONGEST STEP / STRIDE in any jumping approach. ( LJ, HJ, PV, TJ ). However, speed can NOT be compromised here. Maintaining a PERPENDICULAR POSTURE will help in keeping the speed in tact during the penultimate step.
C. The athlete must LEAD WITH THE HEEL OF THE PENULTIMATE FOOT as he / she is going into the Penultimate Step. BUT...the athlete MUST put the foot down FLAT as it strikes the ground.
***
Welcome to Gill1918, the track & field coaching podcast powered by Gill Athletics. Since 1918, Gill has been dedicated to empowering coaches with innovative equipment—now, we're bringing elite coaching education straight to your ears.
Our goal is to create the Ted Talks of track/field podcasts bringing the annual track clinic to your ears DAILY! Topics will include but are not limited to covering key strategies, techniques, and training principles to help you improve athlete performance, structure better workouts, enhance team culture, and more!
Whether you're a high school, collegiate, or club coach, Gill1918 is your go-to resource for quick, high-impact coaching education from the best minds in the sport.
📩 Want to contribute an episode? Submit your 10-30 minute coaching talk to mcunningham@gillathletics.com or read THIS LINKEDIN ARTICLE for information on how to get started. All coaches are invited to participate!
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe and follow Gill Athletics for more expert coaching insights!
#TrackAndField #CoachingEducation #Gill1918 #CoachesHelpingCoaches #TrackCoach #AthleticsTraining
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