For those who have followed track and field, Pete Julian is not a new name. His coaching journey began in 2005 and eventually led him to Nike in 2012. Soon after joining Nike, he became an integral part of their Oregon Project. Julian has been a part of the Nike family since. And since, he has been no stranger to bold moves! However, the latest one is perhaps the boldest of them all. After over a decade with Nike, he took to Instagram earlier today to announce his next big move!

Julian is no longer a name synonymous with the brand of Nike. As Julian himself writes, “I’m no longer an exclusive coach with Nike, and it’s all good!” He went on to add that his journey has been an unforgettable one. However, it was perhaps, “the right time to move forward.” The man who is the coach of the Union Athletics Club, aka the Nike Union Athletics Club, is ready to take a step towards freedom! But no, he is not retiring!

So what exactly is going on? Well, Pete Julian is only leaving Nike, not coaching. “Now have the freedom to coach athletes from any brand, which is truly exciting and what I wanted,” he added. It sounds like Julian has been awaiting his moment of freedom for quite some time now, as he went on to add, “I’m a coach.” But that’s not the only update shared!

The Union Athletics Club, or as Julian likes to call it, “Pete’s Dragons,” has a new base too. The team has moved to Boulder, Colorado. It’s evidently an emotional moment for Julian. However, what makes this special is that he is not closing the door on what Nike represents but rather opening the doors to larger possibilities. However, as he shifts from being an exclusive Nike coach to a coach for all, he has undoubtedly created a legacy that shall last.

Leaving Nike behind, but Pete Julian’s legacy is very much alive!

Julian’s time at Nike has been nothing short of iconic. It is under his guidance that many names emerged. His roster of mentees includes names like Donavan Brazier, Suguru Osako, Shannon Rowbury, Konstanze Klosterhalfen, Jessica Hull, Alexa Efraimson, Charlie Hunter, and Jordan Hasay, amongst others. And boy, oh boy, have their accomplishments been noteworthy, to say the least!

Donavan Brazier, who is no longer a part of the Union Athletics Club, for example, had an iconic 800m race at the World Championship. Not only did Brazier win, he set the new American record. However, it is not just American records that make Pete Julian special. Suguru Osako, another name on the list of mentees, went on to break the Japanese marathon record at the Tokyo Marathon in 2020. Meanwhile, Rowbury’s comeback stories under his guidance are nothing short of legendary. And let’s not forget Jessica Hull! 

Jessica Hull, the Australian middle- and long-distance runner who has created history under Julian. Hull turned professional and signed with Nike in 2019. And since then, she has set the Oceanian indoor 1500m record in Boston and even broken the Australian 5000m record at the Monaco Diamond League. In fact, in 2023 Hull even set the Oceanian mile record. And 2024? Well, she broke the 2000m world record. Also, let’s not forget her silver medal in the 1500m at the Paris Olympics. And these are only a few of the prodigies on the long list of mentees that Julian has trained!

With a new home in Boulder and the freedom to chart his course, it seems like Pete Julian isn’t slowing down. Instead, he is just starting a new chapter.