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| Gary, you seriously need a bigger picture bro. |
I actually run into Gary more on the recruiting trail than at intercollegiate competition. It's often a humbling experience. Without fail, Gary seems to know more about who I'm recruiting than I do. He is a walking, breathing database of high school swimmers. Knowledge is power when it comes to recruiting, and that Gary's knowledge means he often has too many swimmers to choose from when it gets to signing day.
If Gary had no other discernible skills, that alone would make him an asset to any college team. Fortunately for FSU (unfortunately for the rest of us), he does. Gary flat out makes swimmers better. Perhaps the most notable example in recent history has been Mateo De Angulo, the 2012 ACC Swimmer of the Year. De Angulo entered FSU as a good junior college swimmer. He left an individual scorer at the Division 1 NCAA Championships. In two years he went from 4:22 in the 500 to 4:15 and 15:07 in the 1650 to 14:42. Ever see one of those ads on tv with the disclaimer "results not typical"? Well, those results ARE typical for Gary Taylor.
His results from a dedication to planning and execution. Gary recognizes that coaching swimming is both an art and a science. He understands the difference between reaching a volume total and completing actual work. He's also a stand up guy. Whereas many coaches won't hesitate to put it all on a swimmer when they underperform, Gary always takes some responsibility for his swimmer's results.
If and when Gary reads this, he'll probably reject half of it out of modesty. He holds himself to a higher standard. That's another thing that makes Gary Taylor great.
As far as you highlighting friends/colleagues you respect, that's fine. I'm glad you are up front about this and I don't think it should discount what you are saying. If you look at the coaching awards given out by collegeswimming.com or the cscaa, being well-connected or chummy with the people behind those is definitely your best bet in winning those as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you- I happen to think many of the people highlighted by collegeswimming.com and CSCAA are deserving. I just think that it says just as much about the people they work for- they would not be winning those awards if not for the passion and caring of their head coaches.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I wasn't trying to shortchange the winners, just that it is a natural tendency to recognize the talent and effort you are familiar/aware of, and that is what you are doing. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteAmazing article Chris! I am lucky to work with such a passionate, hard-working and class act such as Gary Taylor! :)
ReplyDeleteTricia
There you go Chris! Gary is an awesome guy, great coach and is willing to out work anyone to make his swimmers and the FSU team better! Thank you for highlighting him!
ReplyDeleteLast paragraph nails it. Way to Gary! Well deserved.
ReplyDeleteLast paragraph does nail it! GT is the man!
ReplyDeleteGary is not only an excellent coach but also an awsome human being. I agree, the last paragraph says it all.Thank you Gary for making Mateo what he is.
ReplyDeleteA couple of observations.
ReplyDeleteGary was actually nominated this year.
Anyone who knows Greg Earhart knows he is definitely not chummy with some of the finalists. Fair to say bad blood in a couple of instances.
Any head coach can make a nomination. A couple of the best are written by opposing coaches.
Thanks Greg (I guess not Earhart unless you like to talk about yourself in third person). I am not insinuating that people won because Earhart liked them. No process is perfect- I just think a few slipped through the cracks and I am mentioning them here.
ReplyDeleteGary matches high expectations of his swimmers with an equal amount of positive energy, which translates into results because swimmers buy in to his belief in them. Well-deserved recognition!
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