Coulter

Coaches Spotlight: Brad Coulter

GATFXCCA Spotlight

NAME: Brad Coulter (Cambridge)

Please list some of the highlights of your team’s/individual’s accomplishments:
       Team
2017 and 2018 Girls Cross Country State Champions
2017 Boys Cross Country State Champions
All Boys and Girls Podium Finishing Teams 2016-2018
2019 Girls Track State Runner Up
        Individual
2019 Girls Individual 3200 State Champion
2019 Boys Individual 1600 and 3200 State Runner Up
2018 Boys Individual Cross Country Runner Up
8 Individual Podium Finishers Cross Country 2016-2018
12 Individual State Podium Finishers Distance Track 2016-2018

How long have you been coaching and at what schools?

        I’ve been coaching since 2014 at Cambridge High School.

How did you get into teaching/coaching? Did you have running in your background?

       I started running in middle school track when my dad used to bring me to Webb bridge park to run a few mile. I ran through high school for Mike Morris at Northview. The impact Coach Morris had on my life made me want to be able to give that back to others. I became a teacher because I loved the way that my high school history/Latin teachers could make history into a fascinating story. I remembered loving those classes and dreading those that weren’t engaging. My goal was to become a teacher who made class feel like it flies by while learning about the world.

What would you say is your overall coaching philosophy/motivation?

       I believe that runners should find joy in what they do. Practice should be a place they want to go to build themselves into stronger people. We demand hard work as a group, but want it to be fun. Being a connected team is crucial to holding up to the demands of year round running in all conditions.

What is your opinion about the state of XC/Track in Georgia right now? Any changes you'd like to see happen?

     I’m amazed at how fast Georgia has gotten in the last decade since I graduated high school. It’s been an awesome experience to see the growth of the sport.

How are you different now as a coach vs when you started?

      After six years I’m far more patient than I was as a new coach. I understand the role rest and recovery play more than just hitting the hard workouts each day. I also have realized that the small moments of coaching are more valuable in the long run than trophies and titles.

What are the things about coaching that you really enjoy?

    The connections you can make with runners is the most rewarding to me. Getting to see the kids you work with for years meet their goals and celebrate is a fantastic experience. Keeping those friendships as runners go on to college and beyond is invaluable.