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Coaches Corner
James Webb - North Hardin
By: Mark Rowe (Boys C.C. Coach, Owensboro High School)
Coach James Webb has been the head boy’s track and field coach at North Hardin High School in Radcliff, KY since 1998. During his tenure at North Hardin, the Trojans have become one of the Commonwealth’s most well-rounded and competitive programs for both genders. Coach Webb has been a part of four State Championships, eight state runner-up finishes and twenty five Regional titles.
Coach Webb has established, and maintained, a program built on work-ethic, respect and competiveness that more often than not, finds themselves, “in the hunt” to win a KHSAA State Championship year after year.
When Coach Webb was asked his opinion of this year’s team early in the indoor season, he simply stated: “I have a bunch of guys who are going to work their tails off.” Evidence of his statement was seen earlier this month as North Hardin finished 2nd at the Mason-Dixon Games by only five points to perennial powerhouse Louisville Male- the 3-time defending Class AAA State Champions.
1. What is your present position? How long have you been at your school? Where else have you coached at?
I am the head boys track coach at North Hardin. I have been at North 20 years. I coached briefly at Tates Creek Middle School, and also as a graduate assistant at Eastern Kentucky University
2. What’s your background in the sport? Were you ever involved in track and field either as a prep or collegian?
I was mentored by hall of fame coach Rudy McKinney. I ran track in middle school and that was it.
3. What are some of the achievements (both individual and team) that your teams have achieved while you have been at your present coaching position?
First of all, I do not take any credit for any individual achievements. I have always been a part of a wonderful staff with loads of experience in track and field. Since arriving at North (boys and girls combined), I have been a part of 4 State Championships, 8 state runners up, 25 regional championships and helped coach numerous athletes who have won individual state championships.
4. In your opinion, what’s the most critical aspect for “team-building” in track and field?
That is a difficult question since track is primarily an individual sport with some team aspects, but for the most part, getting the kids to believe in what they are capable of. Stating our goals, early and often and not backing down from our levels of expectations in all aspects of the student athlete is what keeps us together.
5. What’s the most difficult part of coaching track and field?
Hands down the most difficult part of coaching track and field is getting athletes to push themselves physically without mentally losing them. Trying to mentally prepare them for that pain involved that comes with oxygen debt and muscle fatigue is impossible. You just hope they are mentally tough enough to deal with it.
Technically speaking, the Pole Vault and discus to me has been two events I have a hard time grasping.
6. At a school like North Hardin, that has a great tradition of success in track, how do you continue to build on what has already been accomplished? Is it easier or more difficult getting your athletes to buy in to the demands of this sport given the titles that have already been won?
Staffing is the key! We have been so fortunate to have former athletes who have wanted to come back and give back to our program. Our present staff includes Sam Franklin, John Russell, Aaron Coney, Antonio Jackson, Kendrick Johnson and James Jackson. Without each of them, our success would not be what it is. Former coaches like Rudy McKinney, Bill Dennison, Barb Underwood and Bo O’Brien all keep up with the program and provide support.
We have been able to get our athletes passionate about the sport and many of them have kept that passion. We have been fortunate to have athletes go on to college and become experts, so to speak, in some aspects of track and field. They have been able to come back and share what they have learned in their collegiate experience.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to get kids to buy into the demands! Our youth is becoming less tough as technology has gotten them so sedentary. There are though, some of them still out there who want to be pushed and aren’t afraid of a little pain.
7. Who is the best athlete you have ever coached? Why?
Hands down, Western Kentucky University & KHSAA Hall of Famer, 3 x All American football player, 9 x state champion, Joey Stockton, is the best athlete I have ever coached.
Joe Stockton was such a God gifted athlete, who had a ferocious appetite for competition. He was tough, intelligent, and confident.
8. What are the goals for this season for the North Hardin Trojans?
We always aim high for our goals. We start with our local, then regional and state goals. We always want to be the best in our county and then Regional Champions. On the state level, we feel we are a top 3 team in both girls and boys, and we are striving to reach our goals daily. We just ask the athletes to continually improve and try to get better. If they continue to work hard, the results will take care of themselves.
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