Meet The Coach
My story…
My path into running isn’t the typical one. I grew up playing basketball and spent my childhood and high school years chasing a hoop dream. When my basketball career ended after high school, I found myself without a competitive outlet, filling the time with pickup games and unfocused weightlifting.
Everything changed in 2011, when a friend had to withdraw from the Kansas City Marathon at the last minute, and I decided on a whim to take his spot. The race itself was far from pretty, but I crossed the finish line. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that spontaneous decision put me on a path that would ultimately change my life.
I continued running casually for the next few years, but everything changed in 2015 when I joined the XC coaching staff at Liberty High School. That experience is where I truly fell in love with running and with the process of training and racing. For the first time, I was introduced to sound training physiology and coaching philosophy, learning how to structure training plans that lead to peak performance when it matters most.
I was fortunate to work alongside an exceptional staff of knowledgeable coaches who were passionate about using running to positively impact the lives of young people. Those years shaped me into the coach and runner I am today. Distance running coaching remains my passion, and I am currently in my 12th year coaching at Liberty High School and my third year coaching adult athletes.
Beyond coaching, I am a Special Education teacher at Liberty High School, married to my wife, Lauren, and the proud dad of two energetic boys. Over the past decade, I’ve balanced family life, teaching, and coaching while continuing to train and pursue goals in both running and triathlon.
Training and racing have enriched my life in countless ways and have remained a steady anchor, even during the busiest seasons. I’ve experienced firsthand the positive impact running can have, on my own life and on others, and I’m passionate about helping athletes optimize their training in a way that makes running fun, sustainable, and life-giving. I truly believe that running can change your life if you let it!
My accomplishments…
– 2022 Des Moines Ironman // 9:44:17 World Championship Qualifier
– 2023 St Jude Memphis Marathon Champion // 2:30:19
– 2024 Chicago Marathon // 2:27:03, 94th Place
– 2025 St Jude Memphis Marathon Champion // 2:28:03
– 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 Lunartic 5k Champion // IYKYK
Coach English is a phenomenal coach. He creates a positive environment for his athletes where they can grow in fitness and emotionally. He is very approachable and easy to talk to about anything, which makes having him as a coach so enjoyable. His training plans are thorough and well communicated which can help take stress off the athletes. He was always very supportive and kind. I am very glad to have had him as my coach.
Sophie L. (Liberty High School XC and Track)
Coach English is a phenomenal coach. He creates a positive environment for his athletes where they can grow in fitness and emotionally. He is very approachable and easy to talk to about anything, which makes having him as a coach so enjoyable. His training plans are thorough and well communicated which can help take stress off the athletes. He was always very supportive and kind. I am very glad to have had him as my coach.
Sophie L. (Liberty High School XC and Track)
Start working toward your running goals today!
Don’t let a busy schedule or lack of training knowledge stop you from reaching your running goals! Click the button below to see my coaching services.