Justin Gatlin has revealed what it would take for him to fully transition into coaching two years since retirement.
American sprinting icon Justin Gatlin has shared the specific conditions under which he would consider transitioning to a coaching role, two and a half years after retiring from professional athletics.
Renowned for his incredible speed and resilience, Gatlin’s illustrious career includes a 100m gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a historic 100m-200m sprint double at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.
Despite facing setbacks due to doping bans, Gatlin made an unforgettable comeback by claiming the 100m gold at the 2017 World Championships, solidifying his place among the sport’s legends.
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Gatlin, however, surprised many by opting not to move into coaching after retiring in 2021, following a third-place finish at the Kip Keino Classic behind Ferdinand Omanyala and Trayvon Bromell.
Speaking on his Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin revealed, “To be a good coach is a case of feeling you are in the right place to be a good coach. Right now, I am still finding myself. I cannot give my all to those athletes.
“I have to make sure I am in that mature space to be like, ‘Alright, we are ready to do this.’” He added, “I do not want to fake it for them and then mess up their career or what they are trying to do.”
During a July 2024 appearance on The Powells YouTube channel, Gatlin discussed his desire to spend time with his family as the primary reason for not transitioning to coaching immediately.
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He explained the pressures faced by former elite athletes entering coaching, stating, “There is a lot of pressure. People expect us to be just as great a coach as we were athletes.”
Gatlin stressed that coaching requires patience, dedication, and respect for the process, saying, “You have to start from the bottom. Coaching doesn’t work like that; you don’t just instantly create the next sprint sensation.”
The American sprint legend also reflected on the significant sacrifices coaching demands, particularly the time spent away from family.
“When you look at coaching, your coach is out there, and you spend as much time with them, if not more, than with your family,” he said.
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After dedicating 20 years to sprinting, Gatlin admitted that the idea of committing another 20 years to coaching didn’t appeal to him. Instead, he has chosen to focus on enjoying life post-retirement, attending his son’s basketball and football games, and prioritising personal fulfillment.
While Gatlin hasn’t ruled out coaching in the future, he remains firm about finding balance and peace in his life before taking on such a role.
“If coaching comes, it will have to be later on,” he stated. For now, Gatlin continues to engage with the sport through his podcast, where he delves into athletics alongside co-host Rodney Greene, offering fans and aspiring athletes insights into the world of sprinting.
