Inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it’s the profound words of a legend like Nelson Mandela. And other times, it’s the tough love of a Hall of Fame coach like Mike Holloway. Known today as a humble, well-mannered gentleman, Holloway wasn’t always the epitome of calm and grace, or so say Justin Gatlin and Sekou Clarke. So, what was he like back then?

In a recent episode of ‘Ready Set Go,’ 2004 Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin and former athlete Sekou Clarke dissected Mike Holloway’s legendary firebrand coaching style. Justin shared his thoughts, saying, “Mouse seems like a very mild-mannered kind of a guy, he doesn’t get angry or anything like that, but at the end of the day, it’s like he does something to his athletes And you see his rec, his track record is amazing.” And Justin wasn’t exaggerating. He was simply stating the facts about Holloway. 

In response to Justin’s statement, Sekou Clarke added his own take on Coach Mike’s unique methods. “Mouse is a mastermind getting into your mind where he knows how to get into your mind and get the best out of you.” That’s Coach Mouse in a nutshell. Sekou went on to recall a pivotal moment in his career. He said, “I remember when I made the final 400-meter at National Indoors, I got the last spot to qualify 466 indoors. And I remember I was warming up by myself, and Mouse came to me.” And then Mike gave Sekou a lesson he’d never forget, one that lit a fire within him and gave him the motivation he desperately needed at the very last moment.

Sekou continued, “He is like Seo Clark act like you belong here, who cares about Xavier Carter and all these guys, and he is like act like you f**king belong, and he said it three time and he like pull me close me and he is like look in my soul and say yo act like you belong here 46 flat.” Mike’s words cut through the self-doubt and straight into the heart of Sekou’s potential, pushing him to step up in ways that only Coach Mouse could.

Mike Holloway has earned 14 national championships, coached the U.S. Olympic Team, and secured his spot in the coaching hall of fame. His contributions to the sport are undeniable. But the real question is, how much love has he received in return from the very community he’s given so much?

Mike Holloway’s Legacy

Mike Holloway, known as “Mouse,” around UF’s Percy Beard Track. Throughout his community, Mike is a coaching icon and one of the most accomplished in track and field history. Buchholz High School honored Holloway by renaming its refurbished running track to the Mike Holloway Track. It’s a fitting tribute to the man who turned the school’s track program around in the mid-80s. Under his leadership, the Bobcats claimed their first state championship in 1989. This was just when he was starting his career as a coach.

Mike Holloway has made his mark on track and field, not just through numbers but through the athletes he’s developed. With 14 NCAA Division I National Championships and 17 SEC titles, he’s a legend that has shaped the future of the sport. Holloway’s athletes have set 13 records, both indoor and outdoor, with 9 still standing. When you see his name tied to 12 World Championship golds and 11 Olympic medals, you realize it’s not luck. It’s precision, dedication, and a belief that the limits are there to be shattered.