Out of the many high school coaches, few are as accomplished as Coach Joe Lee. Continuing his career at the Bullis School, Lee soon proved himself to be one of the best. After all, Lee is the proud coach of names like Quincy Wilson and Masai Russell! But while the success of his students is backed by Lee, the coach himself recently got heartbroken. March 31 came as a dark day for Joe Lee. Why? Well, it was the day his father left him forever. And the impact was such that even US track and field legend Justin Gatlin could not help but extend his condolences.

Lee took to his social media to announce the tragic news. And while he was crestfallen, Lee tried to hold himself together and explain to the world how much his father meant to him. While Wilson’s coach is surely in significant grief, Justin Gatlin and Rodney Green recently spoke about the unfortunate demise of the track coach’s father. In an episode of the Tidal League podcast, Gatlin stressed how much of an impact Joe Lee’s father meant not only to Lee but to the entire track world. 

“Absolutely, man, shout-out to Coach Jolie. You’re in our prayers, man. For sure. Um, stay strong, and the write-up that he had about his father. His father did everything,” Gatlin stated. He further pointed out the approach in which Lee wrote down his father’s accomplishments. But at the end of the day, it will be his father who will be devoid of his professional designations. Gatlin also mentioned how he was a track athlete.

Coming to the track at a moment when athletes of color didn’t have a stronghold, dominating the realm was Joe Lee’s father. Acknowledging his contributions, Gatlin said, “His father was an elite athlete. His father comes from an era where if you believe you can do it, then you put yourself into it, and you can become successful, especially as a black man in America. So, shout out to Coach Joe Lee and his family.”

Lastly, he concluded by asking Coach Lee and his family to stay strong and extended his hearty condolences for the loss.  Meanwhile, as Justin Gatlin looked quite emotional speaking about the incident, Joe Lee himself had lots to say on March 31. Taking to his Instagram, coach Lee poured his heart out while reminiscing about the good old days spent with his dad.

Coach Joe Lee makes a heartbreaking confession after suffering a tragic personal loss

Coach Lee, after the sad demise of his dad, recently shared a deeply emotional message that pulled back the curtain on a personal loss too immense to measure. In a touching Instagram tribute, Lee honored his late father with a heartfelt post filled with memories and reverence. And it revealed a side that’s rarely seen beyond the track.

“My Dad was a lot of things to a lot of people,” Lee wrote before listing a staggering array of accomplishments. He continued, “Ivy League Graduate (Columbia University), NASA Engineer, Civic Leader, Military Police Officer…to name a few.” But amid the long list of titles and accolades, it was one word that stood out—“HERO.” The quiet strength behind one of track and field’s brightest young stars had his own guiding light, one who shaped his journey long before he ever picked up a stopwatch.

In the closing lines of his tribute, Lee offered a raw and vulnerable farewell. The grief-stricken coach shared, “I’m heartbroken beyond belief, but happy he’s reached his heavenly home. I LOVE YOU, DAD! I hope you’re proud. See you later, young fella.” It was a moment that transcended sport—one man, stripped of medals and milestones, simply wishing his father could see the man he’s become.