Howdy & Aloha! We’re lacing up with Coach Brian Decker, Head Cross Country Coach at Point Pleasant Boro, fresh off one of the most dominant seasons in program history.In 2024, the Panthers swept the Ocean State Invitational, B-South Division, Ocean County, and Central Jersey Group 2 — the first sectional title in school history. Decker was named 2024 Coach of the Year by the Shore Track Coaches Association and the Asbury Park Press.With 30 + years in the sport, Coach Decker has led programs at Toms River South, Ocean County College (JUCO), and Point Boro — building one of New Jersey’s most respected small-school programs. We talk training philosophy, community buy-in, and how he runs the legendary Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel Park.

⏱️ Show Notes with Timestamps
00:00 – 02:00 | Howdy & Aloha Intro Rich & Jim welcome Coach Brian Decker back to the Shore — Point Pleasant Boro head coach with 30 + years of experience.
02:00 – 05:00 | Point Boro Roots & Community Support, Nostalgia from the Point Boro days, Ocean County ties, and how local buy-in powers a small-town program.
05:00 – 08:30 | Origin Story & Switch from Soccer to XC, A broken arm in high school leads to a new path in running — the unexpected start of a 30-year coaching journey.
08:30 – 12:00 | Early Coaching Years & JUCO Lessons
How Ocean County College shaped Decker’s approach to athlete development and the realities of recruiting at the JUCO level.
12:00 – 18:00 | Building Point Boro XC
Taking over a rebuilding program, instilling structure and standards, and earning community trust through work ethic and accountability.
18:00 – 24:00 | The 2024 Breakthrough Season
Ocean State → B-South → Ocean County → CJ Group 2 titles; the first sectional in school history and how the team came together.
24:00 – 30:00 | Coaching Freshmen & Developing Depth, Rebuilding after a senior-heavy class, coaching multiple sets of twins, and teaching young athletes confidence and patience.
30:00 – 35:00 | Adjusting Coaching Styles Over Decades. From old-school intensity to modern balance — what Decker has learned about communication and recovery.
35:00 – 41:00 | Training Talk & Benchmark Sessions
How he structures workouts at Ocean County Park, tests fitness with surprise miles, and why “feel over numbers” still matters.
41:00 – 47:00 | Tech, Watches & Mental Discipline. The battle against data dependency, getting kids off the watch, and building race-day instincts.
47:00 – 53:00 | Meet Director Life at Holmdel Park
15 years of running the Shore Coaches Invitational, working with out-of-state teams, course maintenance, and fast times at Holmdel.
53:00 – 57:00 | B-South Format & Competition Evolving from dual meets to divisional championships; racing Manchester and CBA to stay sharp.
57:00 – 1:03:00 | Culture & Tradition at the Burrow
Why Point Boro kids don’t miss practice, how the community shows up, and keeping banquets and recognition alive.
1:03:00 – End | Final Four & Wrap-Up Coach Decker’s coffee ritual, day-to-day habits, favorite sports teams, and guilty-pleasure Twizzlers before a meet.

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