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Justin Gatlin waxes lyrical of MVP founding head coaches & brothers Stephen & Paul Francis, the masterminds behind churning out talents like Kishane Thompson, Shericka Jackson and more.
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has lavished praise on MVP Track Club’s founding coaches, Stephen Francis, famously known as "Franno," and his brother, Paul Francis, for their exceptional coaching approach that has transformed Jamaican athletics.
Speaking on his Ready Set Go podcast alongside Rodney Greene, Gatlin described the Francis brothers as masterminds behind some of the greatest sprinting successes, including the rise of stars like Shericka Jackson and Kishane Thompson, who are now poised to shatter world records in the 200m and 100m, respectively.
Gatlin marveled at the Francis brothers’ unique style, combining rigorous training with a cool demeanor that instills confidence in their athletes. He recounted Kishane Thompson’s electrifying 9.77-second run, followed by a casual jog back to the warm-up track, where the coaches calmly acknowledged his performance:
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19:58 - 30.11.2024
'We handling that'- Fred Kerley's warning shots to Lyles, Thompson & Co ahead of 2025 World Championships
Kerley is eager to reclaim the top spot in 2025 with the World Athletics Championships on the Horizon in Tokyo.
"The Franno brothers—salutes—because the work they put in on their athletes and then what happens, it’s like they got all the swagger in the world. All the reez, drip, whatever you want to call it, bro."
Co-host Rodney Green highlighted the Francis brothers’ embrace of analytics as a game-changer in modern coaching. He cited Shericka Jackson’s near-record-breaking performances as evidence of their methodical approach.
"They told her, ‘You better run this because our analytics say this is what you can do.’ Even when Shericka ran 10.6, they knew. When she clocked 21.45 in the 200m, you could see from her demeanor she wasn’t impressed because she likely ran something ridiculous in training and knew she missed a faster time," Greene explained.
This data-driven strategy allows their athletes to set realistic targets and understand their capabilities, a hallmark of great coaching in today’s competitive landscape.
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18:37 - 28.11.2024
'Yo've gotta punch him in the mouth' - Justin Gatlin sends advice to Kishane Thompson, Fred Kerley & Co on how to stop Noah Lyles
Justin Gatlin has offered advice to sprinters like Kishane Thompson and Fred Kerley on how to stop Noah Lyles, citing Christian Coleman's victory over his American counter part during the 60 meter dash final of the 2024 World Indoor Championships as an example.
Gatlin reflected on the Francis brothers' impact during the era of Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, when MVP athletes were dominating the global stage. He noted their unwavering composure regardless of the outcome:
"Ain’t nobody cooler than the Franno brothers. They’re going to give you the same poker face, win or lose."
Gatlin speculated on their philosophy of balancing hunger and humility among their athletes:
"For the ones trying to make it, you want them training with the stars so they understand what it’s like being an elite athlete. For the stars, you want them to stay humble and train with people who are still hungry because as a star, you get full sometimes."
Under the Francis brothers’ guidance, Jackson and Thompson are tipped to rewrite sprinting history. Jackson’s sights are set on Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 200m world record of 19.35 seconds, while Thompson continues to emerge as a dominant force in the 100m.
With the Francis brothers at the helm, MVP Track Club remains a powerhouse of innovation, discipline, and swagger, shaping athletes destined for greatness.
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