"I have found that being honest is the best technique I can use. Right up front, tell people what you're trying to accomplish, and what you're willing to sacrifice to accomplish it." Lee Iacocca
It's not easy to be upfront as a coach, especially when the truth hurts.
From the moment he became head track coach at Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1978, Nick Baker broke down his coaching philosophy to his runners: He would be knowledgeable, passionate, realistic and, most important, frank with them. From the average runner struggling to stay afloat to the most talented runner with an eye on a state title, each runner under Baker knew where he stood.
To put it mildly, Baker reiterated the point: "I don't blow smoke."
Then, in 1997, one runner came along and completely altered Baker's approach to coaching. Truth is, the freshman phenom had gotten in his head years before her Haddonfield debut.
"I remember watching Erin play kickball in elementary school, and I couldn't believe a kid that age could kick so high," recalled Baker. "Later, we had a captain who was a state champ in the 800, and she was running the Haddonfield 5k race.
"Erin beat her by over two minutes. Now, she had my attention. I was like, 'Holy cow, are you kidding me?' That time would have won the state championship."
Back then, Donohue was a fifth grader.
Baker had an inkling of what was to come. Having begun his coaching career at Haddonfield Middle School in 1976, Baker was fortunate enough to work with Donohue for four years at the high school. Runners understand that he doesn't ask for more than he believes they can give. And if coaching is his forte, sizing up one of his kids is his veritable strength. Sure a slew of runners have pleasantly surprised Baker over the past three decades, but very few have caught him off guard. His I know what you can do, so do it mantra can both assuage and challenge an athlete.
With an athlete of Donohue's caliber, Baker didn't have the luxury of sitting back and letting her evolve. Baker was forced to be proactive in his approach, as he would learn from her every step of the way. Donohue didn't just go out and succeed; she was a student of the sport, understood how to adapt (if she needed to) and made the vital adjustments.
Although Donohue listened intently to her coach's advice, she didn't always heed it.
"With athletes usually I don't communicate with them till their junior or senior year. Erin's talent level made her different," said Baker. "It started earlier with her and she was more mature, had a plan and was a student of the sport. She trained hard and her philosophy was 'I'm prepared and I know what I have to do.'
"I remember the first Meet of Champions outdoors. I was talking strategy to her about facing the best girl in the state. Erin looked at me and said, 'I don't think it will be a problem.' I don't know who gave the pep talk there."
Pep talks and pre-race speeches weren't part of the equation. They weren't necessary. Baker advised Donohue on her training techniques and running strategies as they would often bounce theories off each other. If Donohue needed him, the coach was there for her.
In return, Baker never had to worry about his star being a prima donna; in fact, Donohue went to great lengths to avoid such stigma.
"It wasn't just the girls, but even with the boys she was a leader by example. Erin was always cheering on her teammates," said Baker. "Not the rah, rah type, but she was into the track meet, and she paid attention to the different events. When she wasn't competing, you could always find her along the fence cheering the teammates."
As for her training intensity, at some point all great athletes take a day off. Internally, they know how to get by on ability alone, right?
"She never took a day off," he recalled. "I've had athletes who coasted, even if it was a recovery run. She punched the clock every day."
When faced with the inevitable Olympic question, Baker cautioned, "I would never bet against her," even though at the time Donohue was not at her best. Baker knew better than to ever count her out, and now it is difficult to hold back emotions.
You watch a runner grow, and realize that you had a significant part in that growth process. Baker fondly remembered all of Donohue's stunning accomplishments and was there in Oregon to see her earn an Olympic ticket.
Nearly a week away from Donohue's first Olympic appearance (First Round Aug. 19, 10 am), the coach feels she is years from her prime.
"(For me) it can't get much better than this. Erin winning nationals was huge as a sophomore, and her senior year when she broke the state record in the mile which she'd been shooting for for four years. My own son winning state champ was a great memory,' Baker said. '...you grow up watching Jim McKay, glued to the TV as a kid. Here's an athlete you've been a part of journey, and she's so down to earth."
Looking back on their time together, there's a sense that Erin Donohue didn't bring out the best in Nick Baker. What could you teach a student who already knew so much? Still coaching, Baker's qualities are best served for the athlete he can mold, motivate, guide and put his stamp on, call his own.
Some might argue that Donohue built herself, and she didn't need much guidance. Yet, even the great coaches have to analyze their untouchable athletes, know when to step back, cajole and when to let go.
In a way, Baker left an imprint on Erin Donohue in a way that few coaches could.
Now, when the world tunes in, he gets to share in her glory.
As a coach, that's all you can ask.
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Click to link to Christian Giudice's August 2008 interview with Erin Donohue, published on Haddonfield Online.
