Dyestatcal California Boys Coach of the Week 9/9-9/13/02
Jim White (McFarland)

Coach White and his McFarland team taking home another team title!!

Since the State of California started its Championships back in 1987 one of the most feared programs at any level has been McFarland HS of the Central Section, with the small school coached by the man who is simply has had over the last decade the best "small school" team in the United States--Coach Jim White. No school with the four to five hundred students grades 10-12 that he has had to work with has had a run of successful groups as White has through the years. Nine State Championships speak for themselves. The "people skills" required of such a run of success continues to amaze, as the subtleties of different personalities that make up teams, and the reaction to different things that happen during a season, from training to races that may or may not go as planned, by the group, that need to be so carefully nurtured to bring things to a successful peak is a darn tough job! Very few folks are like Coach Jim White of McFarland, who has time and time again taken a new wave of McFarland runners and put them atop the award stand at the big meets. Certainly anything but an affluent area, the side issues of jobs to assist the family, family cultures that may or may not support the time spent in athletics, and other distractions that affect those in a small-town agricultural setting, are areas that are a challenge year after year in Coach White's area. They have talked about a sign on the overpass as one zips through McFarland on Highway 99, "Home of the Champions - State Cross-Country Champions and the years listed," and we can think of no more fitting tribute to this great man than for his community to somehow take such steps.

Thanks Jim - Best of Luck!!
Dyestatcal

Coaching career; I have always coached something, starting in 1964 at
the Jr High level. I developed an interest in coaching runners because
of the individual needs that weren't being met through our team sports.
I am now teaching in my 39th year, and I started coaching on the H.S.
level in 1980. I started the CC program in McFarland in 1980. I didn't
run in H.S. or College, opting to play basketball and baseball. I had
some not to pleasant experiences with two of my coaches, which in turn
made me more determined to not treat my athletes in such a way. I
guess you can say my mentors for my coaching desires and philosophies
came about through negative coaches.
Being a small school, our success still amazes me. With 9 State
Championships we have taken a small school into a large school program.
My goal has always been to make our runner the best they can be. THE
best we could be in a particular year was not always the best in all
divisions. We don't have a lot of individual accomplishments but our 9
titles speak for themselves.

My most important accomplishment is that of encouraging young men to
better themselves through education or others means, in developing these
young men into productive citizens, helping to build a good positive
ATTITUDE that can carry over into their adult lives.

Seasonal Plan: I try to start our season on a strong note. I try to offer our
runners new experiences through our program. To view the ocean for the
first time, a trip to N.C., a camping trip etc., things that a lot of
others might take for granted. This year our top 7 from the Ventura
meet will be the team I take to Rochester NY on the 28th of this month.

You asked about our workouts before Ventura.
Mon. Hills- total mileage 9-10 miles ---6-8 X800 all uphill timed.
Times won't mean anything to you since it's not an accurate 800, but
it's one we use year after year.
Tue.. 10 miles of group running then we reach a dry creek bed where we
do about 21/2- 3 M in the sand
Wed.--Steady state - distance will vary

Thurs. - 6miles with 1 M of Fartlek for their strides
Friday -- Travel 2 hours to Ventura for the race.
Friday I took my Jrs, and 4 Sr.s to a 3rd grade in Ventura- where each
of the boy's were able to talk the class in spanish ( Bilingual class)

Took 3rd behind two great D-1 schools, Canyon and Royal , who we love to
compete against.

Biggest single item I have learned over the last 10-15 years. It didn't
take me that long to learn it though. Treat people Christ like. Treat
them like you would want to be treated, If you have Christ in your life
it will b easier for you to do this.

Advice for the young coaches just starting.
Other than what I just stated, learn to be Patient, don't push to hard
until you know they can handle it.
You MUST recruit! recruit! recruit! You have to sell your program. I
talk to them and their parents, I have other runners talk to them, I'm
telling you OVER and OVER. Example I had a Fr. runner (good runner)
become my top Fr. then he quite for soccer. Now he came out again after
much persistence his Sr. year.
Didn't run in the summer but he is already my No. 4 runner.
Persistence! Persistence!
Try to leave them with good experiences, Have fun BEST TO EVERYONE THIS
YEAR.

Coach White

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