Jenna Prandini is the sprinter who’s been turning heads in track and field for over a decade. She is a teenage phenom from Clovis, California, who swept the 100m, 200m, and long jump events at the 2011 California State Meet with ease. And she shows no sign of slowing down at the University of Oregon, either. Whether it is eight All-American honors, three NCAA titles, or that jaw-dropping 2015 season where she grabbed both the NCAA 100m crown and the US national 200m title, she appears to be a rising star.

But do you know who the person working relentlessly behind the stage is? It is none other than her coach and mentor, Bobby Kersee. So, let’s take a deep dive to learn more about the coach who is polishing the diamond.

Meet Bob Kersee:  Jenna Prandini’s coach

In 2024, Jenna Prandini rolled the dice on a fresh start. She swapped Texas’ dusty tracks for Los Angeles’ sun-soaked stadiums, betting her career on Bobby Kersee, the coaching wizard nicknamed track and field’s “mad scientist” for his wild, laser-focused training hacks. He believes less in motivational speeches and more in tweaking sprinters. Thus, he has a reputation for turning good athletes into legends.

 And, for Jenna, it wasn’t just a geography change; it was a full-blown reinvention. Kersee has created a plan for her that strips down her technique, ditches the clutter, and times her peak like a stopwatch.

Bob Kersee’s career highlights and achievements

Kersee’s coaching pedigree is unparalleled. A former aspiring NFL coach, he pivoted to track and field, earning degrees in physical education and exercise physiology to master the biomechanics of speed. Over four decades, he’s coached athletes to medals at every Summer Olympics since 1984, blending scientific rigor with psychological insight. Some of his accolades include two times USATF Coach of the Year (in 2005 and 2015), World Athletics Coaching Achievement Award (2021), USTFCCCA Hall of Fame inductee (2017), and Pac-12 Coach of the Century (2016).

Kersee’s philosophy emphasizes customized training plans for each athlete, often limiting races to preserve peak performance for championships. His reluctance to watch competitions live, famously departing stadiums before races, highlights his trust in preparation over spectacle.

Who else has Bob Kersee coached besides Jenna Prandini?

Kersee’s hard work on his athletes has paid off well. His roster reads like a track and field hall of fame. Here is a list of athletes he has coached before.

• Jackie Joyner-Kersee: His wife and six-time Olympic medalist, whom he coached to three golds in heptathlon and long jump.
• Florence Griffith-Joyner (“Flo-Jo”): The 100m and 200m world record holder, trained during her historic 1988 Olympic sweep.
• Allyson Felix: The most decorated U.S. track athlete (11 Olympic medals), whom Kersee guided to seven golds.
• Gail Devers: Back-to-back Olympic 100m champion (1992, 1996) and hurdling icon.
• Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: The 400m hurdles world record holder (50.65 seconds), whose technical prowess Kersee honed through unconventional sprint training.
• Athing Mu: The 2021 Olympic 800m champion, whose development he oversees alongside Prandini.
• Kersee’s influence extends beyond track: he’s advised NFL Hall of Famers like Marshall Faulk and trained hockey stars, proving his adaptability.

Now we know that Jenna Prandini’s 2025 season opener gave us a taste of what happens when a relentless sprinter teams up with the track’s ultimate “mad scientist.” Now, she is laser-focused on the 2025 Worlds and the 2028 LA Olympics, with her coach by her side. We hope, like her previous matches, she smashes the track-and-field records. And, when it comes to Kersee, his lab results are looking very promising. What is your opinion on the same? Comment and let us know.