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LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and FieldAuthor: LetsRun.com
LetsRun.com's weekly podcast where we go behind the scenes of the professional running, marathoning, and track and field world. If you want a second podcast every week join out Supporters Club https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe Language: en-us Genres: News, Running, Sports, Sports News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Remembering Coach Gags: Steve Holman, Julie Culley, Rich Kenah, and Ron Speirs on coach Frank Gagliano
Saturday, 14 November, 2026
Four athletes coached by the legendary Frank "Gags" Gagliano share memories of the beloved coach who passed away at 89. Steve Holman, America's top miler from 1994 to 2000, recounts how Gags recruited him to Georgetown as an afterthought and instilled unwavering confidence through blunt honesty and fierce loyalty. Julie Culley (39:27) describes how Gags adapted his coaching style to her needs, transforming her from a 16:29 5K runner to winning the 2012 Olympic Trials in a PB of 15:13. Rich Kenah (75:01 )recalls finishing an agonizing fourth at the 1996 Trials and how Gags' support fueled his 1997 World Championship bronze medals. Ron Speirs, (106:01) Gags' first sub-four-minute miler at Rutgers, remembers the coach's unmatched ability to connect with athletes as individuals and make each one feel like the only person in the room. 🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content: Join the the best club in running - the LetsRun.com Supporters Club https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe LINKS RIP Coach Gags: LetsRun.com Remembrance Thread Liam Boylan-Pett Runner's World feature on Frank Gagliano LetsRun.com's piece on the 2012 Olympic Trials 5,000m Atlanta Track Club (Rich Kenah, Executive Director) Pacers Running (DC area) TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Tribute to Coach Gags 01:34 Steve Holman 07:43 Holman's Georgetown Recruiting Story 12:52 Gags' Coaching Philosophy 18:27 Gags' Integrity and Sportsmanship 23:16 Gags' Non-Scientific Approach 26:46 Staying Loyal Through Struggles 31:20 1996 Olympic Trials Heartbreak 35:40 Gags' Legacy Beyond Track 39:27 Julie Culley 43:38 Julie's Training Journey With Gags 49:00 Collaborative Coaching 54:56 Winning the 2012 Olympic Trials 62:10 Coaching at Georgetown 68:06 Would Gags' Style Work Today? 75:01 Rich Kenah 78:05 Meeting Gags on Recruiting Trip 82:55 Gags' Evolution as a Coach 85:49 Fourth at the 1996 Trials 89:35 From Fourth to World Medals 95:50 Double Threshold Before It Was Cool 99:10 Growing the Sport of Running 106:00 Ron Speirs 113:34 What Made Gags Unique 118:28 Gagliano's Best Recruiting Story 125:10 How an Ex-Quarterback Learned to Coach Distance Contact us: Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786) ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running. The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.
