QA₂ Max PODCAST: Furman Head Coach Robert Gary

NEW ORLEANS – From 1992 to 2012, Robert Gary was Ohio State distance running.  As an undergraduate, he excelled in cross country and the steeplechase, qualifying for the Olympics in the steeple the summer before he graduated.  Just a year later, Gary took over as the head cross country coach, and held that post for 16 years before leaving for Furman in 2012.

In less than three years in Greenville, South Carolina, Gary has lassoed some of the best men’s recruiting classes in the entire NCAA and founded a burgeoning professional enclave.  His young men’s team has vaulted to incredible heights—after finishing 18th and 15th at regionals in 2012 and 2013, they’re ranked 16th in the entire nation (and first in the Southeast) going into Friday’s regional meet.

Gary is also the head coach of Furman Elite, putting him in the unusual position of being a full-time college and professional coach. (Most of the other college coaches who coach pros—think Mark Wetmore or Ray Treacy—work with a much smaller group of post-collegiates)

We talked to Gary about his suddenly powerful men’s team, what it’s like to coach a women’s team that’s “a year behind,” and his coaching philosophies.  Also, Martin Lawrence was involved.

Steam the podcast above, or subscribe to QA2Max on iTunes.

(Editor’s note: We said the Paladins won the Southland Conference. We meant the Southern Conference, of course.)