We’re going belly-to-belly with Coach Quinn White, the legendary
Taylor University XC coach who led the Trojans to the only two NAIA team titles in school history (
Men 2020,
Women 2022). With 12 straight Crossroads League titles, dozens of All-Americans, and 200+ scholar-athletes developed under his watch, Coach White has built an NAIA powerhouse grounded in faith, culture, and blue-collar work ethic.
As he prepares to retire after 16 seasons, we dive into his origin story, the “Mad Dogs” & “Jarheads” culture, double-threshold training (and why he protects athletes from junk miles), mental-health tools for coaches (“the gray dog”), and how Taylor keeps identity rooted in Christ first, athlete second. We also preview this season’s outlook (women #1, men #3 as of recording), the Florida State nationals course, and what’s next for Taylor XC.
If you love college running, team culture, and honest coaching wisdom, this one’s for you.
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Black Sheep Endurance (Rich’s coaching)
Buy Us a CoffeeShow notes / chaptered topics- Intro & mission – why we spotlight NAIA/JUCO/D2/D3 programs
- Coach White’s origin story – from third-grade race to Taylor runner to coach
- Building Taylor into a champion – men ’20, women ’22; combined title pride
- Culture: Mad Dogs & Jarheads – team unity, pre-race “Prince of Peace” tradition
- Faith-driven coaching – passion vs. identity; Christ at the center
- Training philosophy – double-threshold days, individualized mileage, staying healthy
- Mental health for coaches – the “gray dog,” panic attack to tools & therapy
- 2025 season outlook – women #1, men #3; Florida State course; schedule cadence
- Recruiting & the right fit – like-minded, team-first, blue-collar workers
- Family in the program – coaching his son & daughter; legacy & leadership
- Taylor academics & community – exercise science, business, education; chapel
- Books & frameworks – Inner Excellence, One Word (this year: Love),
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day; picture-book read-alouds (e.g., Jumanji)
- Final Four – coffee, daily rituals, music (Rush!), guilty pleasures (dark chocolate & gum)
- Closing – retirement perspective, gratitude, and what’s next for Taylor XC
