Bob Kersee is an American athletics coach.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Track coach |
| Employer | USA Track and Field |
| Spouse | Jackie Joyner-Kersee |
Initially intending to become an NFL coach, Kersee instead became a track and field coach at the suggestion of his sisters. His training group is known as Formula Kersee.[1]
Career
editIn 1980, Kersee moved to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was an assistant coach for four years. He then became the head coach in 1984 and established his reputation for training elite level athletes, such as Florence Griffith Joyner, Gail Devers, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Al Joyner, Allyson Felix, and, more recently, Athing Mu and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. He has been called a "mad scientist" of coaching, and is often criticized for not racing his athletes often.[1][2]
In 1989, sprinter Angela Bailey stated that she did not want to train with Kersee due to suspicions about performance-enhancing drugs.[3] In 2005, Kersee was selected USA Track & Field Coach of the year.[4] He also won the award in 2015.[5]
Personal life
editKersee is a fan of the New York Yankees, the NFL, and NASCAR. Off the track, he enjoys furniture restoration. He married his former athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee in 1986.[1][6]
Awards
edit- World Athletics Awards
- Coaching Achievement Award: 2021[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Bobby Kersee coaches some of biggest stars in track history with 'mad scientist' training methods". AP News. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ "USA Track & Field | Bobby Kersee to receive 2023 USATF Legend Coach Award". usatf.org. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ "Sprinter links Bob Kersee to steroids".
- ^ Surber, Tom (November 29, 2005). "Kersee named Nike Coach of the Year". USATF. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ "Kersee Named Nike Coach of the Year". UCLA. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "Bob Kersee - Track & Field Coach". UCLA. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ "World Athletics awards leaves audience wanting more". 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.