Connor Green is the recently appointed head coach of the University of Hartford cross country and track and field program. He was the assistant coach for two years with the Hawks. He has been a positive influence and is always supportive of his athletes, as you can see on his stellar 2aDays ratings. Today, Connor Green answered questions about his transition to head coach, his plans for the program, his core values, and more.

What is it like going from the assistant coach to head coach this year? 

It has had its challenges, but overall it has been a great experience. The team, coaches, and my peers have been incredibly supportive and it has been great to see the change in the program in such a short amount of time. We have a really great group of student-athletes and I am excited to see the growth and progress of this program over time. 

Are there any difficulties or challenges you have faced now being the head coach throughout this cross country season?

Honestly, the biggest challenges have little to do with coaching and more to do with keeping athletes healthy and making sure that they get what they need to be successful. It has been a pretty smooth season so far. Having a great coach in Everett Hackett, running the XC show has been really helpful and I know the team is thriving in large part due to his fantastic coaching.

What are your plans for this program moving forward?

Ultimately, I want this program to grow and become a contender on the regional and national level. As we finish the transition from D1 to D3, there really won't be many changes. Our competition in the region is very strong. This will help us stay motivated and driven to find the highest level of success. I do want to keep our high academic standards as well. I truly believe the student-athlete experience is the most important part of growing a successful team. Academics play a large role in that experience. 

What is it like going from coaching distance runners in the fall to sprinters in the spring?

I will say that it is interesting to be in the middle of the XC season and have our track and field practices kicking off. With different practice times, it is totally manageable to switch my coaching hat between the events though. Overall, I love every event in track and field, so being able to be around so many different event groups is fantastic. 

What are your core values as a coach?

As mentioned before, I truly believe in supporting our athletes, building meaningful and trusting relationships, and guiding them to reach high levels of success both on and off the track.

• Communication is Key 
  • We are not coaches who have groups, we are coaches who specialize in training certain events, but coach each and every athlete. That means communicating with everyone, sharing stories and experiences with everyone, and being open to everyone.
  • Ask for help and you will receive it. No one is an island.
• Student-Athlete Centered
  • We are here for them. It is our job to help in their growth and development.
  • Their goals are our goals. Never lose sight of that.
• “Bring the Juice”
  • Bring the energy into everything you do. 
  • Coaches have good days and bad days, but so do our athletes. Be a positive influence in their world.

How do you view the relationship between academics and athletics?

Academics is why student-athletes are here. If I can't help them be successful on that side of campus, then the athletics piece doesn't mean much. I want to ensure they are getting the support they need to be successful in the classroom. I think that athletics should be the fun part of the day for students. Regardless of if it is an early morning practice or a late meet day, the enjoyment from getting better in the sport should always help balance out the academic rigor that students experience. 

Do you want to change the team's culture after how it was in the past? And how?

I think that every year a team should be examining its culture. Do I have general ideas and principles I'd like the student-athletes and staff to experience and believe in? Absolutely. But ultimately, I think it is important to reexamine each year and have student-athlete feedback as a huge part of the process that helps shape the team ideals for that year.

Image Credit: Hartford Athletics