Bryce Hoppel, at 26 years old, has now qualified for two Olympics. Specializing in the 800-meter discipline, Hoppel has been a well-known name in the circuit for a long time. His dominance dates back to his college days, where Hoppel boasts of a two-time NCAA champion’s title. Later, transforming to the senior scheme of things, Hoppel was a six-time US champion. One of his major achievements includes an 800-meter gold at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. 

But Hoppel’s biggest dream that came true was to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Competing in the US trials, the 26-year-old clocked a time of 1:42:77 to cement his place in Paris. But behind the meteoric rise of Bryce Hoppel lies a person who has been through Hoppel’s thick and thin for seven long years. He is of course Hoppel’s very dear coach. Here’s everything about him that you should know about him.

Who has been Bryce Hoppel’s coach for 7 years? 

Well, the person who has been training Bryce Hoppel for seven years is Michael Whittlesey. Whittlesey is currently serving as the assistant track coach for the University of Kansas Edwards Campus, as per his LinkedIn. 2024 marks his 11th season in the job, and boy does he do his job well, especially with the kind of experience he holds. 

Previously, under his coaching at the University of North Carolina, the team became a force to be reckoned with. Whittlesey produced as many as nine NCAA individual relay champions. He also successfully trained 65 All-Americans and 33 ACC Champions. 

Whittlesey is married to his wife, Carol, and has two children. His daughter, Samantha Paige, is 5 years old, while his son, Ryan Allen, is just 2 years old. Whittlesey has coached several renowned athletes, and Bryce Hoppel is indeed one of them.

Speaking about what sets Hoppel apart from the rest, his coach pointed to Hoppel’s work ethic and training as the deciding factors. Having found significant success in the 800m discipline, Hoppel is rumored to be venturing out to the 1500m as well. When asked about the same by Whittlesey, he had a pretty straightforward answer. 

He praised Hoppel’s dedication and said, “Bryce trains completely differently than any 800 runner I’ve ever coached or any 800 runner I’ve ever talked to.” Whittlesey also shed light on his potential, “As long as he can continue to kick with the best at the end of a race, he’s going to continue to stay as an 800-meter runner. Could he run a really good 1500? Absolutely. But he loves the 800, and his mindset fits the 800.” Well, with his pupil having such a bejeweled CV, Michael Whittlesey is also not lagging far behind in terms of success. Both professional and academic. 

Academic achievements of Michael Whittlesey

Michael Whittlesey attended the University of Connecticut. He took up sports medicine and graduated with the discipline in May 1990. Whittlesey then pursued a Master’s in exercise physiology and also completed his doctorate in philosophy of sports back in 1997. However, his shining list of academic accolades also complements his professional achievements. 

Running in the 1995 Boston Marathon, Whittlesey became the first American to finish the race. Bryce Hoppel’s coach also earned a ticket to the Olympic trials for the 1996 games but could not make it into the final team. He competed as a non-recruited athlete at the University of Connecticut. Thus, with such a talented and well-versed coach in his arsenal, Bryce Hoppel will surely look to expand his career further, picking up more accolades with valuable advice from his coach.