Deehntr56
08-12-2008, 12:47 PM
Great guy, and good for the program!!!!:biggrin:
Former Olympic gold medalist Butch Reynolds might work with entire Ohio State athletic department
by Doug Lesmerises Tuesday August 12, 2008, 7:39 AM
http://blog.cleveland.com/osu_impact/2008/08/small_butch.jpg
Butch ReynoldsColumbus-
Butch Reynolds is preparing to blaze a trail back to the Buckeyes. Five months after resigning as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Ohio State, the former Olympic gold medalist from Akron said Monday that he is talking with Athletic Director Gene Smith about returning to OSU as a speed coach working with the entire athletic department.
He'd be welcomed by his football students, who miss his smile as much as his speed.
"I think anybody on this team would go to Butch and just talk to him. He made everyone laugh," senior safety Jamario O'Neal said. "When we were in the weight room, he could be singing a song and not know one word. That's what we love about Butch. He is definitely missed around here."
Reynolds said he left the program after three years in part because of the long days required of the football staff. With more time, Reynolds said he has been working with his kids foundation in Akron and planning a new training center in Columbus. Called DI Sports, Reynolds said the center is a partnership with former Buckeyes A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Mike Vrabel and should break ground soon.
He's also plotting his return to Ohio State. Reynolds, who won a gold medal in the 1,600-meter relay and silver in the 400 at the 1988 Olympics, expects his new role to include speed training only, but across all sports.
"Sometimes you have to find your niche," Reynolds, 44, said. "I can do the speed and you don't need me to do anything else. But I can mentor even better now. I'm coming back to continue what I started there."
Reynolds was hired by coach Jim Tressel in 2005 to make the Buckeyes faster and quickly made his mark. His track background allowed him to tutor football players in the angles and movements of getting faster. Players from receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to linebacker Hawk praised his contributions.
"He's helped everyone," Hawk said during Reynolds' first season in 2005. "When I first met him I couldn't believe the energy he had."
Without Reynolds, the Buckeyes don't have a pure speed coach, but the players work on drills emphasizing speed and explosion with director of football performance Eric Lichter and strength assistant Doug Davis.
"Licht is the man. He keeps us moving and we do a lot of quick things," OSU receiver Ray Small said. "But I miss Butch a lot. He was always happy.
Former Olympic gold medalist Butch Reynolds might work with entire Ohio State athletic department
by Doug Lesmerises Tuesday August 12, 2008, 7:39 AM
http://blog.cleveland.com/osu_impact/2008/08/small_butch.jpg
Butch ReynoldsColumbus-
Butch Reynolds is preparing to blaze a trail back to the Buckeyes. Five months after resigning as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Ohio State, the former Olympic gold medalist from Akron said Monday that he is talking with Athletic Director Gene Smith about returning to OSU as a speed coach working with the entire athletic department.
He'd be welcomed by his football students, who miss his smile as much as his speed.
"I think anybody on this team would go to Butch and just talk to him. He made everyone laugh," senior safety Jamario O'Neal said. "When we were in the weight room, he could be singing a song and not know one word. That's what we love about Butch. He is definitely missed around here."
Reynolds said he left the program after three years in part because of the long days required of the football staff. With more time, Reynolds said he has been working with his kids foundation in Akron and planning a new training center in Columbus. Called DI Sports, Reynolds said the center is a partnership with former Buckeyes A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Mike Vrabel and should break ground soon.
He's also plotting his return to Ohio State. Reynolds, who won a gold medal in the 1,600-meter relay and silver in the 400 at the 1988 Olympics, expects his new role to include speed training only, but across all sports.
"Sometimes you have to find your niche," Reynolds, 44, said. "I can do the speed and you don't need me to do anything else. But I can mentor even better now. I'm coming back to continue what I started there."
Reynolds was hired by coach Jim Tressel in 2005 to make the Buckeyes faster and quickly made his mark. His track background allowed him to tutor football players in the angles and movements of getting faster. Players from receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to linebacker Hawk praised his contributions.
"He's helped everyone," Hawk said during Reynolds' first season in 2005. "When I first met him I couldn't believe the energy he had."
Without Reynolds, the Buckeyes don't have a pure speed coach, but the players work on drills emphasizing speed and explosion with director of football performance Eric Lichter and strength assistant Doug Davis.
"Licht is the man. He keeps us moving and we do a lot of quick things," OSU receiver Ray Small said. "But I miss Butch a lot. He was always happy.