Back Yard Drills: Start Right Every Time - The Big Toe Knows

The Coach

Mac Wilkins

Olympic Champion & Former World Record Holder

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Mac Wilkins
Olympic Champion and former World Record Holder was one the best all around throwers in the world.  
As a coach he is sought by throwers of all levels from around the world for his knowledge and expertise.

ATHLETIC RECORD
1976  Olympic Champion - Gold Medal - Olympic Record - Ranked #1 in World 
1980  US Boycott  -  Ranked #1 in World
1984  Olympic Silver Medal 
1988  Olympic 5th Place 
(4)  Four Times World Record Holder  69.18m, 69.80m, 70.24m, 70.86m    1976
(5)  Five Times American Record Holder  70.98m  1980
(8)  Eight Times US National Champion Discus Throw 1973-1988
1977    US National Champion Shot Put - Indoor 21.06m
1973    NCAA Champion –Discus Throw, 3rd Place Shot Put 
14 Competitive Throws beyond 70 meters (229'9")...  
#4 All Time top ten competition average
Mac's PRs  -  World's Best Combination of Four Throws
Shot Put 21.06m, Discus 70.98m, Javelin 78.44m, and Hammer 63.88m.
High School Bests:  Discus 170' 10",  Shot Put 58',  Javelin 195"

Mac threw the javelin 78.44m, 257' 8" as a 19 year old freshman at the University of Oregon.  As a senior he was NCAA Champion in the discus and won the first of Eight US National Championships in the discus. 

Wilkins broke the World's Record Four times in his career. During his series on May 1, 1976 in San Jose, California, he set the world record on three consecutive throws of 69.80m, 70.24m, and 70.86m.        
Mac was US National Champion indoors in the shot put in 1977 with a best of 21.06m, 69' 1.5". 

COACHING BACKGROUND
Elite Athletes  
Mac provided significant time or guidance to the following throwers to help them achieve their success
2012  Krishna Poonia, India - 6th Place London Olympics 
2010  Krishna Poonia, India - Commonwealth Games Gold Medal, 
2010  Jason Young, USA - longest US thrower 2010
2009  Dani Samuels, Australia - World Championships Gold Medal 
2008  Stephanie Trafton, USA - Olympic Champion Gold Medal 
2008  Annie Hess, Concordia U. 58.69m, 192' Longest US College Woman Discus Thrower at any level in 2008, 3xNAIA National Champion (developed in 3 years from 45m)                
2001  Adam Setliff, USA - 5th Place World Championships                                                                
2000  Adam Setliff, USA – 5th Place Sydney Olympics

Collegiate Coach   2006 – 2013    Concordia University, Portland OR.                                    
In 8 Years Mac has developed 24 National Champions and 94 All Americans in javelin, shot put, discus & hammer.

In August 2013-Sept 2016 Wilkins coached for USA Track & Field at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista California.

Wilkins' group included Ryan Crouser won the Olympic Gold Medal in the Shot Put in Rio.

He currently lives in the San Diego area.