After a five year hiatus from the sport, Billings is back and ready to build up a highly competitive team. When he isn’t browsing the latest news about computer technology or video games, Coach Billings is reviewing his runners’ times and designing workouts suited to his runner’s abilities.

 

Everyday at 2:45 in the afternoon, Billings makes his way to the track to meet with his team. After a barrage of witticism and charisma, the coach directs his runners to their daily practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to Billings, his brief retirement from the sport was due to the recent adoption of his three children. During his time off Billings was involved in a brief stint as the coach of the highly acclaimed freshmen girls’ basketball team.

 

“My kids were older and out of the house, and the opportunity arose,” says Billings when asked what made him decide to return to the sport. “I missed forming relationships with the athletes and I thought they deserved a great coach like me.”

 

Billings prides himself in his ability to coach, maybe too much. His arrogance and big-headed mentality shined through as he described the strengths of his coaching methods. “My style of training is innovative and adaptive,” boasts Billings as he sat back in his finely cushioned “throne” of a chair.

 

While he does take pride in his work, both Billings and his athletes recognize there are kinks in his armor.

 

“Most of the time you don’t really understand why he makes us do what we do,” jokes senior captain Alyanna Harina. So he may be a good coach, but the method to his madness isn’t always obvious to his athletes.

 

“I’m always afraid that certain athletes feel ignored due to the sheer size of the team,” states Billings. The coach seems really determined to satisfy the team as a whole, and his athletes seem to all agree that he does that extremely well.

 

“I appreciate his understanding and helping kids improve from their various stages of development,” said senior men’s captain Charles Bennion. Bennion is one of Billings’ top runners having qualified for regionals in multiple events.

 

According to Billings there is a bright future ahead of the distance squad. “While I am sad that I didn’t have the ability to coach the current seniors from their freshman year, the freshman we do have this year are extremely talented and I can’t wait to see where they’re at by their senior year,” says the coach.

 

Being back to the sport has changed Billings. “I just want to thank ALL of my runners for rejuvenating me,” he says near tears. Billings being sentimental is almost as rare as seeing a unicorn, so just know he means it.

 

While Billings is most definitely out of his athletic prime, his coaching skills are only continuing to grow. With a coach like Billings, there’s no telling how far the Charger Track Team will go.