Inspiring Coaches Finalist Jeff Downin, Marlborough High School
Milesplitmass fans please help one of our own, Jeff Downin from Marlborough High School, as he has been nominated as one of the finalist for "Coach Of The year" as part of the Brooks Inspiring Coaches Program. Jeff is a fantastic coach, Father, and mentor as well as a huge Milesplitmass supporter. This is a very special opportunity for Coach Downin and lets rally and help in the voting process. You can vote once per day until July 21. So spread the word and vote often!
Marlborough High School - Marlborough, Mass.
Number of years coaching: 12 years track, 7 years cross country.
At a glance: Coach Jeffrey Downin has a spot he always goes to during a race, and that’s the final homestretch of the course. There, he can see each of his athletes finish and cheer them on during the toughest portion when they need inspiration most. Coach Downin inspires his track and cross country runners at Marlborough High School in Marlborough, Mass., by being an intuitive, present coach. Whether that’s through creating individualized, fine-tuned workouts, giving honest and real advice to his athletes or just being an understanding listener, Coach Downin is one to inspire and help his runners reach their running goals.
What advice does Coach Downin give his athletes?
"I believe in you." Also, I remind my athletes that there is no such thing as a bad day of running.
What makes Coach Downin Run Happy?
Getting across the finish line is winning.
How many years have you coached high school track/XC?
- The Spring Track & Field league championship meet, 2010 was in the dark, under the lights and in the pouring rain. I will never forget watching my freshman miler take 16 seconds off her PR. She didn’t run that fast again until her senior year, when she took another 13 seconds off her best.
- Spring track 2003, when a senior failed to meet his 4-year goal of breaking 14:00 in the 2 mile run, we held a special track meet, just for him. We had only one race, the 2 mile, with only one runner. The whole team stopped what they were doing and lined the entire track, cheering him on for 8 laps. He beat his 14:00 goal that day.
- Cross Country, 2012, when my top runner set the school record on our home XC course. We set it as a goal at the end of the previous season and he did it at the last home meet.
- When I ran in the Cape Cod Marathon, 2010, a bunch of ladies from the XC team came down to watch, cheering and holding signs with a phrase I say to them all the time, “I believe in you”.