An Interview with Our Coaches
COACH DEON
Marcus (Deon) Turner
Why did you become a track & field coach? Passion for coaching came from wanting to further my twins’ development in the sport.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? All! Sprints, relays, multi-events, and field events, specifically, long jump & shot put.
What are your Accomplishments as a coach/team? I’ve coached multiple USATF National Championship Relay and long jump athletes, Multi Event USATF All-Americans, as well as USATF Regional Champions in field events and countless GRPA State Champions, but the accomplishments all belong to the athletes.
What are your in/off season expectations of the athletes?
Off season - Take care of your body by being mindful of your nutrition & run often. Additional sports are encouraged.
In season - Athletes to have a positive attitude & desire to give your all every rep! Parents to provide positive support to Athletes & the program and to reinforce coaches expectations when away from the team.
Were you an athlete? What sport/events? I played soccer and basketball in high school and soccer in college.
What is your day job? Retail manager & owner of a trucking company.
What are your hobbies? Coaching is my hobby!
Do you have kids who run on the team? Yes, twins and they have participated in literally every event!
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? Spring & Summer Track & Field is my passion!!!
What are your coaching credentials? USATF Level 1 since 2018
How long have you been coaching? Coaching track & field since 2016.
How many athletes/teams have you led to championships? USATF 11/12 Girls 4x800 Junior Olympics National Championship in 2021, USATF 9/10 Girls 4x400 Junior Olympics National Championship in 2022 and 11/12 Girls Long Jump Junior Olympics National Championship in 2024
What is your favorite Smyrna Elite track team story to share? Winning our first USATF Junior Olympics Championship in 2021! It was extremely hot & the day was full of rain delays which pushed our event back more than 4 hours. But just after 10 pm our 11/12 girls secured the USATF Junior Olympics Championship in the 4x800 relay. Smyrna Elite coaches were tucked away quietly in the stands between raucous parents & spectators from opposing teams and listened with joy as all the trash talk & cheers turned to “come on baby, try to keep up”, “where they from”, and various other obvious sounds of defeat!
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? You get out of the sport exactly what you put into it. There is no quick fix or easy way. Hard work & dedication are required!
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna elite? We are a track family dedicated to the full development of our athletes mentally & physically. Our program is designed to find out what track & field can offer your individual child, not what your child can offer to our team!
What is a fun fact about you? I’ve been coaching kids so long now, it’s hard to deal with adults!
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? Good question! I don’t have one. I was never a serious track & field athlete so this coaching journey has been a true learning experience for me. I learn more & more every year from classes & other coaches & continue to find new things to love about the sport!
COACH EMILIO
Anthony Emilio Leath
Where you are from? Miami, by way of Gainesville, Florida
Why did you become a track & field coach? I ran as a youth and see the benefits in learning how to run as it correlates to other sports.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? 200/400 meters as well as special disciplinary functions.
Accomplishments as a coach/team? 4 X’s All-Americans within the 200/400.
What are your in/off season expectations? Outwork everyone!
Where did you go to school, Were you an athlete? I attended Florida State University as a dual sport athlete for 2 years.
What is your day job? IT consultant
Do you have kids who run on the team? London Leath 100, 200, 400, 4x100, 4x400.
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? I currently assist with 200/400 groups and I’ve been with Smyrna Elite since its creation.
What other sports do you coach? I coach youth Football a well as Basketball.
What are your coaching credentials if any? AAU and USATF
How long have you been coaching? A long time!!
How many athletes/teams have you led to championships? A lot!
What are your coaching highlights? I enjoy seeing them succeed!
What is your favorite Smyrna Elite track team story to share? Racing one of the athletes and getting a cramp and rolling off the track!
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? It’s you and your race - not anyone else. You are your own competition, grow as you go.
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna Elite? Because we care the most!
Share a fun fact about yourself. I’m emotional about the success of the athletes.
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? 400 meters because you have to sprint it the entire way. So it combines speed with strength conditioning.
COACH RICKEY
Rickey N. Oglesby, Jr.
Why did you become a coach? I wanted to share my experiences and knowledge of the sport with our youth as a volunteer.
What do you coach? Sprint Coach 200/400M, 4x400M relay
What are your accomplishments as a coach? 4x400M USATF National Champions (girls 9/10 yo), 400M all-American, 400M State qualifiers, 4x400M USATF Regional Champions.
What are your expectations of your athletes? To develop youth athletes on the track and in the classroom.
Where did you attend school? Paine College (D-11 SIAC) where I ran track and cross country. I was recruited as a 200/400M runner, but I ran the 100M at times.
What is your day job? I am aPrivate Bank Fiduciary, Football official, and Smyrna City Councilman -Ward 7
Do you have children who run on the team? My son ran on the team.
What are your coaching credentials? I am a USATF recognized coach
How long have you been coaching? I've been coaching for almost 4yrs.
How many athletes have you led to championships? 4 USATF National Champions, numerous All-Americans and state qualifiers, 4 USATF Regional Champions
What advice do you have for aspiring track runners? Take full advantage of every practice. Each day you have time with coaches is extremely valuable to your overall success as an athlete.
Why should parents and athletes choose Smyrna Elite? We have a proven track record of successfully helping athletes achieve the collegiate level with scholarships. We are not the biggest team, which allows us to offer a more personal touch.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event to coach is the 400M- it's the event I ran on the collegiate level and I believe it's the perfect balance between a sprint and middle distance event.
COACH JORDAN
Jordan McKinley
Where are you from? Cleveland, Ohio
Why did you become a track & field/XC coach? I grew up in the track community. I wanted to inspire the next generation and help achieve their goals.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? 800 M
Accomplishments as a coach/team? Every member of the team hit a PR
Where did you go to school? North Carolina A&T
What is your day job? I work in advertising and my hobbies include jazz, art, and spending time with my dog
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? I coach mid distance and cross-country year round
How long have you been coaching? Two years
What is your favorite time with Smyrna Elite? I love the practices after a good meet. The pride of the athletes as they reach a new milestone and work toward another is my favorite.
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? Your success is tied to your effort. You learn how to run at a young age but it doesn’t guarantee success. The difference is the work.
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna elite? At Smyrna you get a dedicated coaching staff with a great team environment. You come to run but you stay for the family.
What is a fun fact about you? I really love the standing long jump and I adopted a dog named scrappy and the name definitely fits. I also once had a pet ferret named bandit…… if a pet has a peculiar name it’s usually for good reason!
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? The 800 M - It is the race where you can clearly see a difference in race strategies tailored to the strengths of the athletes. It’s the perfect blend of speed and endurance and takes an incredibly mentally tough athlete to be good at since no 800 race is the same. You must adapt.
COACH STACY
Dr. Stacy Imagbe
Where are you from? Texas
Why did you become a track & field coach? I became a track and field coach because I love helping athletes unlock their full potential. Track and field is such a dynamic, multifaceted sport, and I enjoy guiding individuals to not only improve their physical abilities but also build mental toughness, discipline, and confidence both on and off the track.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? I coach the horizontal jumps (long and triple jump)
Accomplishments as a coach/team? Four team championships, 4X state champs, several top 8 Junior Olympian’s
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? I coach the horizontal jumps (long and triple jump) in Spring and Fall
How long have you been coaching? 10 years
What are your coaching credentials if any? Certified U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Technical Track & Field Coach
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? Focus on mastering the fundamentals, stay disciplined with your training, and trust that with persistence, you will see growth over time.
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna elite? Parents and track athletes should select Smyrna Elite because this club provides structured training, expert coaching, and a supportive environment that can accelerate their development.
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? Long Jump is my favorite event to coach because that has been my bread and butter for 20 years. Long jump combines a unique blend of speed, strength, technique, and mental focus. As a coach, it’s incredibly rewarding to watch an athlete’s performance improve through a combination of physical conditioning and refining technical skills.
COACH TEMICKA
Temicka Hansen
Where are you from? Harlem, NY
Why did you become a coach? I Became a coach to pass on knowledge I’ve gained over the 20 years of being a track athlete. To help coach and guide the youth to success in the best possible way. Track and field has always been a love of mine and being a coach to athletes who are equally as eager about the sport as I am is an honor.
What do you coach? Sprint Coach 100M/200M/400M
What are your expectations of your athletes? Dedication and improvement
Where did you attend school? Were you an athlete? What sport/events? American International College. Ran the 200M,400M,4x100M & 60m
What is your day job? I am a customer service representative
What are your coaching credentials? I am a USATF certified level 1 coach
How long have you been coaching? I'm new to coaching and have one Spring and Summer Season's experience
What advice do you have for aspiring track runners? Work hard and have fun. The way you train in practice is how you will perform in a meet. Don’t fool yourself and be honest about how you feel about your sport.
Why should parents and athletes choose Smyrna Elite? Smyrna Elite has a series of coaches are dedicated to helping athletes improve and bring out the best in them. Smyrna is not just a track team but also a family. From the coaches, to the athletes , to the parents. Smyrna Elite cares about their athletes.
What is a fun fact about you? I'm double jointed in my shoulders.
What is your favorite event? The 200m is my favorite event to coach because it is a full sprint. It’s a hard and fun event to coach. And most athletes love the 200 so they have more fun with the event.
COACH HENRY
Henry Cobb
Where are you from? Boston, MA
Why did you become a track & field? I love the sport.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? Hurdles and long sprints
Accomplishments as a coach/team? Boston City Champions
Where did you go to school? Were you an athlete? Howard University, I played football.
What is your day job? Electrical Engineer
Do you have kids who do (or did) run on the team? Events? Yes, my son ran the 200M & 400M last year. I also have 2 other sons that I am trying to get to run.
What seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? Spring and Summer
What are your coaching credentials if any? USATF level I certified
How long have you been coaching? I've been coaching track for 10 years. I’ve won multiple High School City Championships in Boston. I’ve had 3 hurdlers qualify for nationals and I coached my son his sophomore year and he qualified for state championships in the 400M.
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? Training is only fun if you let it be. Learn to enjoy the challenge and celebrate every improvement no matter how small.
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna elite? Smyrna elite has dedicated and knowledgeable coaches that put the athlete first.
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? The 100m/110m hurdles is by far my favorite event to coach. It is always a great moment when an athlete finally learns to get over the hurdle for the first time or when they finally learn to 3 step.