A Conversation with Citrus High School’s Boys Head Track Coach, Eugene Gagne

By Student Writer Bonnie Bunn

Citrus High School’s track and field program has grown tremendously in recent years, thanks to the dedication and leadership of Coach Eugene Gagne. A former runner himself, Coach Gagne has worked tirelessly to develop student-athletes, instill a strong team culture, and push the program toward new heights. I sat down with him to discuss his coaching journey, training philosophy, and vision for the future of Citrus High’s boys track and field team.

General Coaching & Experience

What inspired you to become a track coach?

“When I used to run, I was very good at it, and I wanted to share my knowledge with students. I wanted to help them become great runners, just like I once was.”

How long have you been coaching, and what has changed the most in the sport since you started?

“This is my fourth year coaching. The biggest change has been the growth of our program. We now have seven coaches, with each one specializing in a different field event. When I started, we had around 25 athletes—now, we have over 45. With more coaches and more athletes, we’re pushing to bring home our first trophy this year.”

What do you enjoy most about coaching track and field?

“I love watching my athletes improve. Seeing them compare their times from the beginning of the season to three months later and realizing how much faster they’ve become—it’s an incredible feeling.”

Training & Strategy

How do you structure training sessions to prepare athletes for competition?

“We start with time trials to establish a baseline. Then, throughout the week, we mix in different training methods—calisthenics, sprinting, hill workouts, and long-distance runs. Each day focuses on a different aspect of performance to ensure our athletes are ready for competition by the end of the week.”

What’s your philosophy when it comes to balancing speed, endurance, and strength training?

“They all go hand in hand—it’s that simple.”

How do you approach coaching different events (sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps, throws)?

“That’s why I brought in seven coaches—three volunteers and four paid. Each of us specializes in the event we excelled in when we were younger. This way, our athletes receive the best possible coaching for their specific events.”

Athlete Development

What qualities do you look for in a great track athlete?

“A coachable attitude. We teach the techniques, but it’s up to the athlete to take them and practice, practice, practice.”

How do you help athletes stay motivated during tough training periods?

“Through positive reinforcement. I make sure they know how well they’re doing and how much they’re improving. Encouragement goes a long way—there’s no need to scream at them.”

How do you handle mental preparation and confidence-building with your athletes?

“We focus on consistency and effort. I remind them that every race and practice is a step toward improvement. Confidence comes from trusting the process.”

Competition & Performance

What’s the best piece of advice you give your athletes before a big race?

“Just do your best. Numbers don’t lie—the results will show your progress.”

How do you help athletes recover from a disappointing performance?

“I remind them that one bad race doesn’t define them. There are so many factors that can affect a race—heat, competition, the track surface. The key is to shake it off and focus on the next one.”

What are some of the biggest mistakes young track athletes make in competition?

“Some athletes try to peak too early in the season. We train to build up gradually so they reach their peak at the right time. When they push too hard too soon, they risk burnout or injury.”

Team & Program Building

How do you create a strong team culture in an individual sport like track and field?

“Track may seem like an individual sport, but at the end of the day, we earn points as a team. Every athlete contributes to the overall success of the program.”

What role does technology or data analytics play in your coaching?

“Technology is crucial. We use timers for running events and precise measurements for field events. The data helps us track progress and fine-tune training.”

How do you recruit and develop new talent for your program?

“We pull athletes from other sports—football, weightlifting, basketball, soccer. Every athlete has strengths that can contribute, whether in running or field events.”

Personal Reflection

What’s the most memorable moment of your coaching career?

“Seeing all our events covered by athletes—it shows how much we’ve grown. And that growth leads to more points, which gets us closer to winning a trophy.”

Who is the best athlete you’ve ever coached, and what made them special?

“Every athlete brings something special to the team, but the best ones are always the hardest workers—the ones who put in extra effort and stay dedicated to their training.”

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring track athletes, what would it be?

“Remember that rest is just as important as training. Don’t train seven days a week—your body needs time to recover.”

With Coach Gagne to help, Citrus High School’s track and field program is on the rise. His passion for the sport, combined with a commitment to his athletes, is creating a culture of hard work, teamwork, and continuous improvement. With a growing team and a strong coaching staff, the future looks bright for Citrus High’s track and field team.