After years as the head coach at Bob Jones High School, Robin Gaines retired from coaching duties following the 2012 Track & Field season. Alabama Runners interviews and introduces you to the man that will take the helm of the BJHS Patriots, Jim Presnell.
Alabama Runners: What school(s) did you come from before landing at Bob Jones? How many years have you been coaching?
Coach Presnell: I coached 28 years at Elizabethton High School, Elizabethton, Tennessee. My last 2 years in Tennessee, I coached at Milligan College in Johnson City Tennessee with Chris Layne. I had the opportunity to rub shoulders with many professional track athletes because Coach Layne is an athletic agent who represents such athletes as Nick Simmons(national champ in 800) and Dylan Armstrong (ranked 3rd in world in the shot). My last 2 years before coming to Bob Jones, I coached at Oxford High School, Alabama.
Alabama Runners: What was your own running background before coaching and how did that shape your own coaching philosophy?
Coach Presnell: I was a State Discus Champion in high School and I went to the University of Tennessee where I was on the 1973 NCAA National Championship team. I didn't have a coach in high school so everything I learned I taught myself. I decided right then that every athlete should have a coach that cares about them to help. That has pretty much shaped who I am as a coach.
Alabama Runners: Bob Jones returns a strong girl's team this year and Peyton Tyler on the boy's team. Are you excited to be coming in to such talent and does that come with any pressure to succeed?
Coach Presnell: Every year no matter where I coach the goal is the same, to try to win a state championship. This is the first coaching job where I think I have a talent pool that is equal to the other top programs. The pressure to succeed is there at Bob Jones but no more than what I put on myself and my runners. I feel I have been training for this job my whole life.
Alabama Runners: How much of an opportunity have you had to meet with your teams this year?
Coach Presnell: With moving, I haven't had much of a chance to interact with my runners but I have given them a summer running schedule to prepare them for practice. We will be a little behind at first but that might play to our advantage later in the season when it really counts.
Alabama Runners: What goals have you set for yourself at Bob Jones?
Coach Presnell: We hope to be competitive at the state meet and who knows...... Long term goal would be to try to be competive outside of the state and maybe qualify for the Nike Team Nationals.
Alabama Runners: What is a hidden talent you would like to tell us about?
Coach Presnell: I have no hidden talents but my greatest honor is to call Jesus Christ, my Savior. He has blessed with with great family and life. I can't wait to start my journey at Bob Jones.
OTHER INFORMATION
Married to Karen
4 children: Andrew-working on PHD. At University Alabama; Lindsey- missionary (just returned from 2 years in Kenya and Ethiopia); Katie- nurse; Leanna- medical receptionist. 3 grandchildren, Kami, Lincoln and Addie.
Education:
1973 Elizabethton High School, Tennessee
1978 East Tennessee State University- BS Education
2008 East Tennessee State University- MED. Educational Leadership and Supervision
Work Experience
1978-79 North Cobb High School, Acworth, GA.-teacher, track and cross country coach.
1980-2010 Elizabethton High School- teacher, Athletic Director, Transportation Supervisor, track, cross country, football, girls basketball
2008-2010 Milligan College, Johnson City, Tennessee- Assistant track and cross country coach
2010-2012 Oxford High School, Oxford, Alabama- Head Track and Cross Country Coach
Athletic Accomplishments:
State Champion- discus; track scholarship to the University of Tennessee; member of 1974 NCAA Champion track team
Coaching Accolades:
2010-2012- Broke school records at Oxford High School in 30 of 36 track events
2008-2010- Broke every school record in the throws at Milligan College in both Men’s and Women’s events. (4 National
Qualifiers)
USA Track and Field Level 1 Certification
2005 Boys State Cross Country Coach of the Year
2005 Nominated National Coach of the Year
2003 TSSAA Boy’s A-AA State Runners-up- Cross Country
2004 TSSAA Boy’s A-AA State Champions Cross Country
2005 TSSAA Boy’s A-AA State Runner-up Cross Country
2006 TSSAA Boy’s A-AA 5th place - Track State Meet.
2006 TSSAA Girl’s A-AA 3rd place – Cross Country
2007 TSSAA Girl’s A-AA 4th place – Cross Country
1980-Present 22 individual state champions in track and cross country
(State champion coached events- Shot Put, Discus, Long Jump, Triple Jump, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, 1600, 3200, 4x800
Relay, Cross country, numerous top 3 finishes in sprints and sprint relays)
Scholarship Athletes: 17 track and cross country athletes have signed a college scholarship in the last 5 years to compete
on the next level.
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