Outdoor Track and Field on Flotrack 2013

Johnny Gray to coach at UCF, Solomon to follow?

Jul 5, 2013 by Jimmy Stevenson

Johnny Gray, the famous coach of many current American middle distance stars and assistant coach at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) made the announcement earlier today that he will no longer be coaching at UCLA. Instead, he is joining the coaching staff at the University of Central Florida (UCF).

The decision comes after Jeanette Bolden, the UCLA women’s track & field head coach, accepted a job as the new women’s head coach at UCF.

“My good friend Jeanette Bolden has given me an opportunity for a new lease on life,” said Gray, “and I will now support her fully and take my talents to [UCF] to share and pay forward what it is God has willed us to do.”

As excited as Gray is to start a new chapter in his life of coaching, he won’t soon forget his time in Los Angeles.

“I really thank all of the UCLA alumni for there support, and I must say that I really enjoyed being a Bruin! I’m going to miss it terribly because it’s home and I am leaving a great group of athletes I care for and love dearly,” said Gray.

One of those athletes that Gray might be leaving is Duane Solomon. While this is not official, it does beg the question of whether or not the Saucony athlete will remain under the guidance of Gray, the 800m American Record Holder, 600m World Record Holder, four-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist.

The above video is of Gray at the 1992 Olympic Trials with a winning time of 1:42.81. Twenty years later Solomon runs 1:42.82 (.01 slower than Gray’s ’92 trials performance) at the London Olympics to get fourth. Two weeks ago at the USA Championships Solomon dethroned Nick Symmonds as the reigning 5-time USA 800m Champion.

To say Solomon has had incredible success under Gray over the past few years is an understatement.

This past Monday, Solomon made an assault on Gray's 600m World Record of 1:12.81. He fell short running 1:13.28. In the 800m and the 600m, Solomon's personal records are just off Gray's best times. Solomon clearly still has some chasing to do to call himself faster than his coach, but the first question is, will he chase Gray down to Florida and continue to be coached by him?

Stay posted as we keep you updated with what Solomon and the other professional athletes under Gray’s guidance decide to do moving forward.

List of other NCAA coaching changes

Jimmy Stevenson is a broadcast journalism major at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. Feel free to contact him on twitter with any questions, comments and/or feedback.