Coaches Spotlight- Claude Spinks

Claude has been region Coach of the Year 7 times and Athletic Director of the year for Region 4AAA in 2009-2010. In 2009-2010 Eagle' Landing High School won the Henry County Directors Cup as the top athletic program in Henry County.  In 2012-13 Eagle's Landing won the Region 4AAAA Athletic Director's Cup as top athletic program in Region 4AAAA. In Track and Cross Country Coach Spinks has coached 60 individual region champions, multiple state champions, high school All-Americans, a National Champion, collegiate All-Americans and a US Olympic qualifier.

 

 

1- Congrats on having a great regular season. When did you first become interested in Track and Field?

 

    When I was a 9th grader in high school. I had run xc and went out for track in the spring.. 

 

 

2- Did you compete in HS or College as an athlete? or another Sport?   

 

    I ran xc, track and played baseball in high school. I ended up choosing to play baseball in college.

 

 

3- Describe your journey from novice Coach to your Head Coaching position now.

 

I have made a lot of mistakes along the way and try to learn from each one. I have also been blessed to have many talented and motivated athletes and each of them has made me work harder so that I can coach them at the level they deserve.

 

4- How important is it to have the full support of the AD and resources available to succeed?

 

    It is important to be supported but you also have to show that you can be self sufficient. 

 

 

5- What are some of the challenges in building a successful program?

 

     First off, Having a track. We went for years without one.  Having equipment - this is the first year we have had more than a couple of hurdles or even a high jump pit. You also have to convince the students that track is worth doing and than create culture of working hard.  

 

 

6- Do you have a supportive Track Booster Club?

 

    I have no booster club, but do have a few very helpful parents. 

 

 

7- Has Middle Track the past few years in your feeder schools helped contribute to the HS program's success?

 

    Not really.

 

8- What are your program's Goals every season? County/Region title, State Championship?

 

    As a team we don't set goals like championships. We look at we are and strive to get better each week.    I do have individuals athletes set goals though.

 

9- Assess your team's Region meet and the opporunities faced at Sectionals to advance. 

 

This is the second straight year we have swept the region meet. We came straight out of spring break and it really worried me that we would not be ready. We ran very well. Not perfect but made huge strides effort wise. Getting out of sectionals will be a challenge.

 

10- What advancements should the GHSA make to bring our Sport on par with the 'other' 47 states ?

 

       Add 4x800m relay and combine the boys and girls state meets. 

 

Bonus- What has been among your favorite accomplishments for the school you now coach at?

 

Seeing kids, who without athletics, might not have graduated from high school go on to graduate from college.