Road To Moscow: Men's Head Coach Mike Holloway



University of Florida head coach Mike Holloway will take the reigns as the men's coach for Team USA in the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia. We caught up with Coach Holloway as the team was preparing from their base camp in Linz, Austria. See what he had to say in this Road To Moscow feature.

First off congratulations on being named Head Men's Coach of Team USA.  I know you've had a base camp in Austria. How long have you been out there and who is working out there?
 
The training camp here in Linz is the training camp for team USA. I have been here for eight days now.There are lots of athletes here working with there personal coaches preparing for the World Championships.So the majority of the team is here now and we will go into Moscow together next week. 
 
Looking over the Team USA roster, there are a lot  of Gators from Arman and Marquis that you are coaching now to Omar, Tony, Kerron, Will and Christian. the list goes on. Does that familiarity with kids you've coached help you on the national level?
 
It is always nice to have familiar faces around. I think it is important to know that my primary goal here is to be a support system for the athletes. Other than working with my personal athletes (Arman, Cory, Kerron, Tony, etc.). I'm here to support everyone else. 
 
That has to be neat to see them come through the college ranks and now ultimately the highest level in sport.
 
In the recruiting process a lot of athletes talk of wanting to compete at this level. It is very gratifying to see them reach this goal. 
 
Is it one of those scenarios where they are already at an elite level, already to run, at this point it's coming together as a team and tweaking the little things?
 
As I mentioned earlier I only work specifically with those athlete that I personally coach. All these athletes have personal coaches who are very good at what they do. It's not my job to make changes to anything they do. 
 
As a coach, is there anyone you expect maybe as a dark horse that will come out and really surprise some people?
 
Nothing that happens in these types of meets surprises me. 
 
Team USA picked up 25 medals at the games in Daegu. Do you feel pressure to do even better than 2011?
 
No pressure at all. My job is to help make this a great experience for all the athletes here. 
 
Where do you think the USA stacks up against the rest of the world?
 
I feel that the USA is the best track and field team in the world. 
 
What is your favorite part about coaching national level athletes whether it be at the Olympic games, World Championships in 2007, or as the men's coach in 2013?
 
It's always great to be around great athletes and to be able to watch them prepare for a championship meet.  Once the meet starts I am able to witness unbelievable performances everyday. 
 

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