Episode I of an exclusive interview between Carl Lewis and MileSplit
Few names in the history of sports carry the weight of Carl Lewis. The nine-time Olympic gold medalist, eight-time World Champion, and one of the most dominant athletes the sport has ever seen recently sat down with MileSplit Texas staff members Shelton Jolivette and Caleb Jolivette for an extensive conversation covering everything from coaching and athlete development to the state of modern track and field.
Now serving as the Head Track and Field Coach at the University of Houston, Lewis offered a candid and thought-provoking look into his philosophy as an educator and coach. The first installment of the interview dives into why he chose coaching after one of the most accomplished competitive careers in history and how his approach continues to be shaped by legendary coach Tom Tellez, whose scientific and technical teachings helped guide Lewis throughout his Hall of Fame career.
Lewis also discusses the current status of the long jump, reflecting on Bob Beamon's iconic world record, his own rivalry with Mike Powell, and the evolution of the event. The conversation extends to the direction of the University of Houston program, the impact of the transfer portal, and how college athletics has changed as student-athletes increasingly pursue opportunities to earn money through their sport.
One of the most compelling portions of the discussion centers on coaching and athlete development. Lewis doesn't hold back when addressing what he sees as widespread misinformation in the sport. "I'm not a coach, I'm a teacher," Lewis explains, emphasizing that the Houston program remains rooted in Tellez's science-based methods rather than trends or shortcuts. He argues that too much of today's coaching information, particularly on social media, is inaccurate, estimating that "95% of what I see on social media is incorrect."
Carl Lewis speaks at the 2026 Carl Lewis Invitational
Photo Credit: Bryan Guevara
Lewis also expressed concern about the rise of self-promotion in coaching, noting that many of the sport's best developmental coaches are working at smaller colleges and lower NCAA divisions. According to Lewis, those coaches often do the difficult work of developing athletes before larger programs recruit them away. He also pointed to recurring technical flaws he sees in incoming athletes, citing examples such as low heel recovery and other outdated concepts that he believes have long been disproven.
The conversation expands beyond coaching mechanics and into the business side of the sport. Lewis discusses how track and field has struggled to maximize its marketability, criticizing some of the recent social-media-driven racing spectacles and promotional antics that generate views but do little to advance the sport itself. He also highlights a startling economic reality, noting that many of today's top track athletes earn significantly less than elite athletes did during his era, when adjusted against the broader sports marketplace.
Part one of the interview provides an insightful look into the mind of one of track and field's greatest champions. Whether discussing athlete development, the future of college athletics, or the direction of the sport as a whole, Lewis delivers the same combination of honesty, experience, and conviction that defined his legendary career. The full conversation offers a valuable perspective for athletes, coaches, and fans alike as one of the sport's most influential figures shares his thoughts on where track and field has been and where it needs to go next.