One On One With Notre Dame Coach Joe Piane

Todd Grasley



Joe Piane has been the Head Track & Field and Men's Cross Country Coach at Notre Dame for the past 35 seasons. Piane has won the NCAA D1 National Coach of the Year award twice; 1987 and 2001 and has coached dozens of All-Americans, and sent runners to multiple NCAA Championships. Brigham Avery caught up with Coach Piane to talk about  what the midwest has to offer, advice for athletes, and much more!

You were born and raised in Westchester, Illinois. Now you reside in South Bend, Indiana. How have you seen the sport grow both track and cross country in the midwest over the years?

"It's grown naturally the midwest has always been a hotbed for talent. In my opinion it's the tradition that keeps it a hotbed. What amazes me is how the south has grown places like Louisville, Alabama and Texas A & M have now grown into big time players."

Such great talent in Illinois and  Indiana along with some of the top runners in the country. Twelve members of the men's team are from those states.  How do you keep that midwest talent home?

"We have a natural fit becuase of our tradition and proximity. We strive to get the best the country has to offer wherever that may be."

What makes the midwest so competitive?

"The weather is an advantage because it gets cooler earlier as apposed to the south. It's the history and the tradition that makes runners from the area so competitive, it's part of the DNA of the midwest."

Big news recently, Notre Dame has joined the ACC. What are your initial thoughts?

"Initially I am happy and excited and now anticipating a great partnership. It's good for cross country and it's a step up for track. When you look upon the landscape of ACC schools like Duke and Wake Forest, Notre Dame is alreadyvery academically aligned with the ACC."

How hard is it to get runners with limited scholarships?

"Very difficult, but the real simplicity lies in the fact that we're looking for kids who have a passion for Notre Dame. I don't wanna have to purchase somebody and I won't."

What advice do you have for the high school runner when it comes to getting exposure, the transition from high school to college running, etc?                                                                   

"Obviously it's important to do well in confrence and state meets. But most impotrantly branch out to post-season races against competition from other states, get as much national exposure as possible where time is not that crucial, but rather placement is."

Is there anything else that is important to note?

"Listen to your high school coach."
 

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