Cross country and distance track coach Khadevis Robinson has set out to make his coaching endeavor as successful as his running career.
Robinson doesn’t like to talk about his past success and has tried to make a new name for himself as a coach, but he can use his past experiences in recruitment.
“He tried not to brag too much. He was extremely modest,” said freshman Jack Wilkes. “He talked about the times he ran and said, ‘It’s pretty fast.’ But that is really fast.”
Robinson won the 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championship in the 800-meter race as a senior at Texas Christian University and has been on the rise since.
Robinson competed in the 800-meter race at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, after running 1:44.91 in the U.S. Olympics Trials qualifying race.
“It was the most amazing thing that I have ever experienced besides the birth of my children,” Robinson said.
Robinson said the eclecticism between nationalities, languages and the environment led to such a great experience that it’s something he plans to do even now that he’s not competing anymore.
In fact, Robinson coaches professional runners who he hopes will one day make it to the Olympics as well.
Robinson’s journey to his second Olympic berth was more trying than the first and represents the same struggle he faces at LSU.
“It was a great experience, and I think it prepared me for whatever my purpose in life is and the journey it will take me on,” Robinson said.
Robinson ran the fastest leg of all competitors at the Memorial Van Damme meet in Brussels, Belgium, in 2006 to help beat a 20-year-old American record in the 4×800-meter relay. Robinson clocked in at 1:43.8, nearly beating his personal best of 1:43.68.
“I don’t like to live on things I did in the past, but that was one of my favorite meets in one of my favorite places,” Robinson said. “In front of 50,000 people we almost broke the world record, but our anchor leg got caught up at the end. I really wanted [the world record].”
Robinson was the favorite to qualify for the 2008 Olympics at the 2008 U.S. Olympics Trials Men’s 800-meter race in Eugene, Oregon, after winning three straight outdoor National Championships and was the reigning Indoor Champion.
But he was edged out at the end by Christian Smith, who dove past Robinson at the finish to clock in .06 seconds ahead of him in what later came to be known as the “Oregon Sweep.”
The close loss left Robinson considering retirement, but ultimately bitter and determined to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London, England.
“I’m not one that likes to take losses,” Robinson said. “If I didn’t do well, I wouldn’t get any sleep. I didn’t take it well.”
At 35 years old, Robinson qualified for the 2012 Olympics by finishing in second place in 1:44.64 in the men’s 800-meter qualifying race.
Competing against accomplished runners who were nearly half his age, including 23-year-old Kenyan and eventual winner David Rudisha, Robinson said the age difference didn’t affect his mindset going into the 2012 Olympics.
“To perform at that kind of level, you don’t put limits on yourself,” Robinson said. “I looked at it like we are both human, and I put in the hard work so in my mind I’m thinking, ‘I can compete with those guys.’”
After his second Olympic run, Robinson was left satisfied with his competing career and became an assistant coach at UNLV. He quickly worked his way up the collegiate coaching ranks and landed at LSU after coaching at Ohio State for a season.
Robinson took over an underperforming cross country team and the distance track team at LSU. The runners have bought into his system and believe Robinson has what it takes to bring the program to the top.
“I think [Robinson] will do anything he puts his mind to,” said senior Andria Aguilar. “He is the most driven person I have ever seen in my life. Whether it takes one, five or 10 years, I think he is going to get it done. I have the most confidence in him.”
Although he is just two years removed from the Olympics, Robinson quickly shot down the idea that he could compete against today’s runners.
“I’m over 20 pounds heavier than I was when I was running,” Robinson said. “I would have to train way more than I do now.”
You can reach Jacob Hamilton on Twitter @JHamilton_TDR.