 USA Boxers just experienced their best World Championships in over a decade. What do you attribute the success to?
The success of the boxers this year is the direct result in our partnership with Performance Services. Our Sportsfolio and the Residential Program has been a tremendous asset to our attempt to reach our rightful spot on the top of the medal stand. Our athletes have adjusted to life as an Olympic level athlete, and have proven to the world that we are back.
As the Head Olympic Coach, what are the issues that concern you?
As the Olympic Head Coach my major concern is that the boxers do not self destruct and that they continue to realize that there is work to do to win gold at the biggest event of their lives. They can concentrate on their professional careers after the Olympics, now is not the time.
You were named the National Director of Coaching in 2005 after a long history of producing great young boxers. What are some of the main difference between developing young boxers and Olympic boxers?
It is the same concept because these are the same boxers that I started to develop in the junior division. I believe that we begin to identify top athletes while they are young, and nurture their talent. It is easier for the athletes to adopt the Olympic or International style of boxing, if we start teaching them at a young age. My job as National Coach does not begin and end with the Senior boxers. I believe that to be successful I have to find a way to involve myself and my assistant in Cadet, Junior and women boxing. It is also our responsibility to train the coaches in our approach to Olympic Style Boxing.
What advice would you give to a young coach just starting their career?
Never ever feel as if there is nothing else to learn. When you stop learning, you start failing.
In your opinion, what is the most important asset an athlete must possess to be successful?
An athlete must never feel that he/she is unbeatable. When you become a prima donna, you are on the path to failure.
Who has influenced your coaching philosophy the most?
Being a part of the training of Olympians, where I felt that some of the coaches and some of the boxers did not give their total commitment to training. My motto is: failure is not an option.
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