Best US Ladies' Coach?

[nahschoir]

VOTE FOR THE 3 BEST US LADIES' COACHES!

yep....I got another poll to use in my statistics class. If you choose the "other" option, please note who you are voting for.

[what?meworry?]

well! i think this poll points up my theory that ther is no one fs coach that dominates either ladies or mens freestyle. i think the coach is "made " by the skater's success. robin was not heard of before sarah hughs. i may be wrong, but i don't know of any of frank carrol's skaters prior to michele kwan. and then ther is rudy galindo. similarly with several mens' skaters, such as michael weiss, matt savoie. etc. there are exceptions, but mostly the successful freestyle skaters and their coaches are unique to success.

[Zen Master]

Before Michelle, Frank Carroll coached, among others, Linda Fratianne (1980 Olympic Silver, 1977 & 1979 World Champ, 1977-80 U.S. Champ), Tiffany Chin (1985-86 World Bronze, 1985 U.S. Champ), and Christopher Bowman (1989 World Silver, 1989 & 1992 U.S. Champ).

[duane]

richard callahan.

IMO, anyone who can coach nicole bobek to winning a World medal deserves the "Best US Ladies' Coach" award!!

[Alexeiskate]

Damon Allen, Tiffany Chin, and Scott Williams are relatively new to the elite coaching level so I wouldn't include them in the same category as a Frank Caroll and John Nicks.

I think in the 70s and 80s many skating experts would probably pick Carol Fassi as the one that can make Olympic champions not only because of his coaching expertise but also bacause of his political clout. Today you don't really have a dominant coach for singles anymore. The Frank Caroll and John Nicks will alwaysl have students with national prominance but it is also likely that a previously unknown coach like Robin Wagner will be successful with a student.

[Sylvia]

F.Y.I., Tom Zakrajsek has been AP McDonough's primary coach for the past several seasons, while Damon Allen just came aboard this season, I believe.

[spiderman]

What about Diana Ronayne? I thought she had a lady skater does she or is it just Ryan J.?

[Aidan]

Except for Sasha, what other US lady has Tarasova coached? At nationals, one of the commentators said this was Tarasova's first trip to nationals (at least in the ladies event).

IMO, Tarasova is not a super coach. She helps a skater improve their presentation and footwark, mainly because by the time skaters go to her they already have the technical skills and are well ranked in the World (ie - Alexei Y, Sasha, Ilia). I could be mistaken, but I haven't heard of Tarasova coaching anyone from an early age?

In order to qualify as a great coach, one should be able to help develop all aspects of a skater, not just presentation, and be able to coach all levels of skaters.

[bcskater]

Originally posted by Aidan
IMO, Tarasova is not a super coach. She helps a skater improve their presentation and footwark, mainly because by the time skaters go to her they already have the technical skills and are well ranked in the World (ie - Alexei Y, Sasha, Ilia). I could be mistaken, but I haven't heard of Tarasova coaching anyone from an early age?

In order to qualify as a great coach, one should be able to help develop all aspects of a skater, not just presentation, and be able to coach all levels of skaters.
I completely agree. I'm sure Tatiana Tarasova is a fantastic coach, but the more accurate way to find out who is the "best" coach in any discipline is to find out if they coach their pupils from an early age or before the titles and medals were there. Its not easy, but it is easier, to remodel someone, "recreate" their style and abilities than it is to take someone from scratch and teach them everything there is to know. JMO

[WeBeEducated]

The list should have
Carlo Fassi, Christy Ness and Kathy Casey.
However, my vote is for the coaches who took a skater with slightly above average ability, who possesed a typical, normal female physique, including hips, and made this girl focus entirely on her unique strengths, which led her to achieve 2 Olympic medals and international success.
My vote is for Evy and Mary Scotvold.

[PAskate]

My others were Christy Ness and Carlo Fassi

[spiderman]

Also what about Christy Krall?

[radioactive]

"Webeeducated"RU talking about Nancy Kerrigan. She had most of her jumps including a 3/3 before the Scotvolds got her - at least according to the bio I read.
Having been coached by Evy I agree that he is a great technican if he's interested. That's why I think polls like this are kind of dumb because the chemistry has to be there between the coach and student for it to work.

[Dave Amorde]

My vote for best singles coach, for men and women, goes to Tammy Gambill. She currently coaches the reigning US. Junior Men's Champion (Dennis Phan), Juvenile Boy's Champion (Ricky Dornbush). She has also taken Sandy Rucker to Nationals or Jr. Nationals 5 years running, as is now coaching Felicia Beck. You'll be seeing a lot of Tammy in the years to come. You can see a pictures of her at:
http://SWPSkating.com/dennisphan.html
http://SWPSkating.com/eoc.html

[radioactive]

Hey Dave in CA what's going on up at Ice Castles besides the place being put on the market? I saw that Felicia's old coach left for San Diego so who is the skating director now? Is there even a program anymore, looks like the site hasn't been updated for a while. I wanted to go out for a week this summer cause I love Lake Arrowhead and LA.

[Dave Amorde]

To my knowledge, the director's position has not been filled. The training center is still open and busy.

I spoke with the Beck family yesterday, as well as Tammy Gambill. Tammy has been nominated for USFSA Developmental Coach of the Year - something which she clearly deserves. Felicia is skating with Tammy three days a week, and skating at Ice Castle another three days on her own. I photographed Felicia's "Most Promising New Face" award presentation from Wesskint. I haven't got the film developed yet, but I posted a digital photo of Felicia with her plaque and flowers on the main page of my website.