In our latest “The PlayBook” episode, we talk with Coach Benjamin, the celebrated coach behind Ezekiel, one of Africa’s fastest 400m hurdlers. Following a record-breaking 2025 season where Ezekiel broke the Nigerian national record, Coach Ben shares the philosophy and strategy that builds world-class athletes.
Highlights from the Conversation:
Coaching Philosophy: Coach Ben describes his approach as a balanced, well-rounded program that is individualized for each athlete. He prioritizes building strong relationships, caring for athletes as people first, and creating a fun but focused environment.
Athlete Development: The goal is to build “robust” athletes who can withstand heavy training loads for a long and successful career. This involves creating a strong foundation and developing athletes to become mature competitors who understand race modeling and strategy.
Recruiting Insights: When recruiting, Coach Ben looks beyond just the times an athlete runs. He values personality, a multi-sport background, and athletes who have a “worldly” perspective, understanding that life is bigger than just track.
Advice for Coaches and Athletes: Coach Ben stresses that coaches must be lifelong learners, quoting a mentor who said, “If I think I’m done learning, I’m done coaching“. He reminds coaches that their job is to stay in the background and let their athletes shine. His advice to athletes is simple: find the right environment for you, work hard, and have fun with the journey.
