Coley Candaele: The Perfect Fit For TFC-4

Who would be the perfect speaker for the Track-Football Consortium IV? Who would check all the boxes?

Coley Candaele has coached Vista Murrieta to back-to-back California state track championships. Enough said.

But wait, there’s so much more.

Vista Murrieta is only 13 years old. Coley Candaele started the track program from ground zero. Try opening a track program someday. It ain’t easy. I opened Plainfield North eleven years ago. Creating tradition at a school without alumni makes for an interesting experience.

Coley Candaele has created a track & field juggernaut at Vista Murrieta. Michael Norman dominated the 200 and 400 in 2015 and 2016. As a junior, Norman ran 20.30 in the 200 and 45.19 in the 400. Both years, Vista Murrieta produced a 3:14 4×4 team, placing 1st in 2016, 3rd in 2015. Candaele’s team ran an eye-popping 40.32 to win the 4×1 in 2016. Two of Michael Norman’s 2016 teammates placed 2nd and 3rd in the 100 (10.55 and 10.58). The 2015 team featured a 48’3 triple jumper and a 200m guy who ran 21.54.

Phenom Michael Norman from Vista Murrieta H.S. in California. As a 17 year-old, Norman ran 20.30 in the 200 and 45.19 in the 400.

What makes Coley Candaele the perfect fit for TFC-4? When Candaele took the Vista Murrieta track job in 2003, he also opened the football program. You think track culture is hard to create? Try creating a football program from scratch. Coley Candaele went 132-25 as Vista Murrieta’s head football coach.

Coley Candaele, 132-25 as Vista Murrietta’s football coach.

But wait, there’s more. Last January Coley Candaele resigned as head football coach to become Athletic Director and cross country coach (continuing as head track coach). Head football coach becomes head cross country coach?  Yes, Coley Candaele made a decision that few elite football coaches would ever consider. Coley will join his wife, Karen who opened the Vista Murrieta cross country program 13 years ago. Together, Coley and Karen will coach their daughter, Peyton Candaele.

But wait, what does a football coach know about cross country? What does a sprint-dominated track coach know about distance running? Well, 26 years ago, Coley Candaele was California state champion in the 1600 running 4:06.22.

Corey Candaele, miler, circa 1990. State Champion, running 4:06.22 in 1600 Meters.

Coley Candaele was a pretty good quarterback in high school. He scored 33 career touchdowns and passed for 4620 yards. I’ve never heard of a star football player doubling as a miler. How can someone run 4:06.22 without cross country?

On a side note, during Coley Candaele’s high school days, his father, Rick Candaele, was the head football coach at the University of California Santa Barbara.

College recruiters weren’t looking for 5’10” quarterbacks, so Coley Candaele took his running talent to Eugene, Oregon. He ran track for the legendary Bill Dellinger. Historic Hayward Field. Nike. Bowerman. Prefontaine.

On another side note, Coley Candaele’s uncle played Major League Baseball from 1986 to 1997. Casey Candaele played for the Montreal Expos, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians.

When asked to speak on football, Coley Candaele told me his approach to football is simplistic. “It’s all about playing fast.”

“It’s all about playing fast.”

That’s it! That’s what the Track Football Consortium is all about! Play fast. Speed Kills. “Quality over Quantity” – you don’t get fast by running slow.

Topics have not yet been finalized but Coley Candaele will speak on playing fast, sprinting fast, and coaching Michael Norman. Michael Norman beat Justin Gatlin in the semis of 200 at the Olympic Trials. In the finals, Norman placed 5th running 20.14. Michael Norman turns 19 on December 3rd.

Michael Norman, age-18, beat Justin Gatlin in the 200m semis at the Olympic Trials. He later finished 5th in the finals.

California Coach of the Year, Gatorade Player of the Year

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Stuart McMillan of Altis will be our featured speaker at TFC-4. To say I was excited when Stuart accepted my offer is an understatement. Stuart McMillan is the coach of 21 year-old Andre De Grasse (silver medal 200, bronze medal 100, bronze medal 4×1). Stuart McMillan might be the best sprint coach in the world.

Stuart McMillan of Altis

In addition to Stuart McMillan and Coley Candaele, we have commitments from

• Dan Fichter (football, S&C, speed) from Irondequoit High School in New York
• Alec Holler (football, track, hurdles) from Edwardsville High School in Illinois
• Joe Palka (football) from Saline High School, near Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Al Leslie & Brian Boze (track) from Saline H.S., Michigan
• Lou Sponsel (football, S&C) from Palatine Fremd
• John O’Malley (track, distance) from Sandburg
• Josh Bonhotal (S&C) Purdue Basketball
• Dan Hartman (football, S&C) from Hinsdale Central

My opening presentation will be “Hormesis: Finding the Correct Dosage”.

Chris Korfist will present something revolutionary, he always does.

TFC-4 will be held at Hinsdale High School beginning in the evening of December 2nd and finishing at 6:15 Saturday night.

Stay tuned for further announcements.

Until then, feed the cats.

Sign up link: Track Football Consortium IV

TFC-4 is sponsored by FreelapUSA, SimpliFaster, and TrackingFootball.com