New Center Grove coach Brad Timmons demonstrates proper form to Trojan shot putters.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
Succeeding a legend is considered one of the no-nos of coaching, regardless of the sport.
Brad Timmons has heard that plenty, but remains undeterred.
The 47-year-old Timmons, an assistant during all but two of Eric Moore’s enormously successful 25 seasons as head coach of Center Grove’s boys track and field program, is determined to keep the Trojans among the state’s elite.
In September, Timmons was named to succeed the 62-year-old Moore, who announced last spring that the 2023 season would be his final lap.
“I hadn’t really been told not to take it. I’ve just been warned that when taking it that you’re going to be compared a lot to your predecessor, which is fine,” said Timmons, who as an assistant was in charge of sprints and the 400-meter relay.
“I know I’m going to be compared to (Moore) in all our performances. I’m not coming in to change and alter what we’ve done. It’s just a matter of not getting in the way of what’s been established.”
The Trojans’ consistency on the track has been nothing short of remarkable.
In Moore’s final 14 seasons (2010-23), his squads placed in the top eight at the state meet a total of 10 times. His 2011 team won the state championship, while three other teams were third and two finished fourth.
Before Moore arrived, Center Grove boys track had won one team sectional title. That number now stands at 18. Timmons, stopwatch in hand, was present for most of those.
“The biggest thing about Brad Timmons is he’s one of the most passionate people in the world about track,” Moore said. “I love track. I’m really passionate about it, but Brad is next level passionate, and that really is what you need in high school.
“It’s tough for anybody to take over track. You’re the head coach of 17 sports. That’s a good track meet when there are a thousand things going on. You’ve got to be used to that, and he is.”
This summer, Moore will begin his 26th season as the Center Grove football coach, a program he has steered to five state championships and three runner-up finishes. Timmons is a longtime assistant on the gridiron as well, serving as the Trojans’ running backs coach.
The continuity Moore has emphasized on his coaching staffs in both sports over the past quarter of a century is another key element to Center Grove’s successes.
Timmons has made sure such familiarity remains now that he’s in charge of boys track.
Former Trojan athletes Zak Smith (high jump and sprints), Joey Siderewicz (long jump and sprints) and Nate Line (pole vault) are assistants under Timmons. Howard Harrell and Michael Stewart coach Center Grove’s distance runners.
Another key to the ongoing success is community buy-in; athletes, coaches, parents and school administrators know what it takes to achieve athletic success. With that, though, comes high expectations.
Center Grove track is currently getting set for the start of its indoor season; the Trojans head outdoors for the first time when they take part in the Columbus North Invitational on April 6.
Moore laid down the blueprint on how to combine strength and speed training in an effort to develop athletes who are also mentally tough. Now it’s Timmons who has been handed the baton.
“There’s a lot of familiarity with the program, and with the kids. I’ll try to do my best to have it be a seamless transition,” Timmons said. “I believe I understand the formula that we’ve used to be so successful, and just to continue down that path and make sure the kids have same type of leadership.
“I believe I would be an absolute fool to come in and try to change a lot of stuff that has been so successful for the last 25 years.”
