Sha’Carri Richardson’s Coach After Her Paris Olympics Qualification in 100M: “Couldn’t Do Anything but Scream”

Sha’Carri Richardson is on the cusp of immortality. After winning the women’s 100m final at the US Olympic Team Trials, the world champ is now on the verge of sealing her name among the elites of the track world. But it wasn’t just her individual success that stole the show. The two other sprinters who crossed the finishing line in second and third place, Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, both also proved their worth with a sound performance, and the one person who stood behind all three couldn’t be happier: their coach Dennis Mitchell.

Micthell’s reactions were caught in a YouTube video uploaded by Citius Mag only moments after the sensational race in Eugene yesterday, but his excitement could hardly be registered thanks to his cool demeanor. Despite his calm, when asked about what was his initial reaction to seeing three of his best students on the podium, Dennis couldn’t hold back his feelings. “I was so excited, I couldn’t do anything but scream,” said Mitchell, noting how hard all three athletes worked to achieve this together.

For Sha’Carri, this year’s Olympic Team Trials were crucial, and it wasn’t just for the kicks. Being barred from the previous Games in Tokyo because of a failed drug test, Richardson’s quest for the first Olympic gold got bolstered in Oregon, and naturally, some celebrations are warranted. Likewise, her coach couldn’t be happier with how things panned out for the reigning world champ and her training partners.

“…this is something that these girls have worked hard for, and to be able to accomplish something of this magnitude on this stage with the incredible,” Mitchell said in the video interview, adding how the feat is even more impressive considering the formidable opponents they had to win against. An Olympic gold medalist, Mitchell earned a name for himself in college and beyond, with the 1992 Barcelona Olympics being the height of his career.

Now, as the two-time World Championships gold medalist looks to pass on his wisdom to the newer generation, here’s how things have been so far since he joined hands with “the modern-day Flo-Jo.”

Sha’Carri Richardson’s Olympic dream bolstered by Mitchell

Dennis was also the mastermind who helped Sha’Carri bag two gold medals at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest. His efforts didn’t go unnoticed and he was bestowed with the coveted USATF Coach of The Year honor. Considering how Dennis’ own resume isn’t that stacked, he probably now looks to fulfill his unrealized dreams through his students, who will soon carry his banner high on the biggest stage of them all in Paris.

“To stand here with these amazing women who I have the pleasure of sharing this moment with, who I train with… it’s a full-circle moment,” Sha’Carri was heard saying after yesterday’s race, standing beside Terry and Jefferson, as all three were observed to be beaming broadly. Mitchell has been Sha’Carri’s coach ever since the LSU athlete turned pro in 2019, and was also instrumental in helping the USA’s women’s relay team clinch gold at the 2023 World Championships.

Now, as Sha’Carri seeks to finally end her Olympic gold quest, it remains to be seen if Dennis has more bunnies to pul out of his ht to help her reach her zenith at the French capital.