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The Coaching Staff

At Team Green Running we have the most qualified staff in the area!  Not only does our staff have extensive coaching knowledge & experience in the sport, all have competed in cross country or track at a collegiate or National level!  Our coaches want to see your child succeed and accomplish their goals.  When you run with TGR, you can be confident knowing that your child will be cared for, encouraged, and coached towards their potential.  

We hope to see you soon!!

Head Coach- Dan Green

While Coach Green has coached athletes to State Championships, National Championships, and the Olympic Trials, his coaching motivation comes from helping athletes realize their potential.  

For over 50 years he has been blessed to train athletes of all ages and abilities to do just that. Regardless of whether it's a Youth athlete racing at the USATF Championships, a Master running for the Gold at the Nationals, or an athlete running a local 5K for a PR, his passion remains parallel.  His philosophy of teaching excellence through running and then motivating his athletes to go farther than they believed possible, has made him one of the winningest Coaches in the Nation.  

He has been and still is a student of the sport as he continues to participate in seminars, clinics and coaching mentorship programs. 

Coach Dan Green has participated in and completed 17 marathons including the first Chevron Houston marathon in 1972, winning that marathon with a time of 2:32:33. Coach Green & TGR are the official Coach of The Woodlands Marathon.

USATF Coaching Certificates

   Level I

   Level II - Endurance

   Level II - Sprint & Hurdles

   Level III / IAAF Level 5 - Endurance 

Motivational Speaking Events

Why Coach Dan Green

 

Assistant Head Coach & Sprint/Hurdles - Tiana Smith

No matter where life's path has led, track & field has always played a role in Tiana Smith's life whether as a student-athlete, a coach or a professional. The skills she developed on the track continue to serve and shape her path over a lifetime.  Tiana's path began on the track at Tomball High School. As a college athlete at The University of Houston Tiana was a Conference USA champion in the 400-meter hurdles. Training under the leadership of the UH's Coach Mike Takaha and Leroy Burrell, her team won the Conference USA Track & Field Championship in 2000. Tiana further pursued a goal to qualify for the Olympic Trials after receiving her undergraduate degree from UH. Tiana served as a Volunteer Coach at UH working with hurdlers while completing work toward a Masters of Science degree from UH. Tiana has also worked as a teacher and an assistant track and basketball coach at Klein Oak High School and also at Klein Collins High School as the Head Girls Cross Country and Track Coach.

More recently Tiana has served a role as the Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Tomball Hospital and now works as a Public Sector Manager at WM.

Smith maintains, "I have been blessed by many teachers, coaches and managers who have helped me pursue my goals, ambitions and dreams.  It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity tp share those lessons and serve others in their pursuits on and off the track.  The track feels like home and I am thankful for the opportunity to return to the track in service."

Distance Coach - Oscar Garcia

Oscar wanted to get conditioning for soccer. What kept Oscar in the field was the challenge and the freedom that came from running.

Oscar is an Elite Athlete for TGR training for the 2024 Olympic Trials in the Marathon as well as a coach for our Track/Cross Country youth athletes. Most recently, Oscar ran the Chevron Houston Marathon 2024 and completed the marathon in 2:32:16, beating his Coach's time, Dan Green of 2:32:33.

Oscar's goals are to compete amongst World Class athletes in distance running as well as starting a business that would involve coaching and producing running apparel/shoes.

Oscar works as a shoe expert at Fleet Feet Hughes Landing and as the track coach for St Anthony's.

Sprint Coach - Cameron Laverty

College: University of Houston 2015-2019

What Got you into running? : "I started running from the moment I could walk so I could follow in the footsteps of my Dad who was an elite runner himself. There was nothing more I wanted than to be like him…be the best."  Under TGR: 3rd Year with TGR. 800m Elite runner under Dan green. Youth Coach who loves to help young athletes to bring out the best of their work ethic on and off the track. 

Goals: “My goals are to Qualify to the Olympic trials and be an athlete that my younger brother can look up to just as my dad was my athlete to look up to. I also want to be a role model for other younger athletes and be a guide to help them stay on a good path in life.” 

Accolades:   ·    UIL State qualifier Track and field 2014 (First qualifier from Americas High school) Placed 5th 1:53.15.  ·    UIL State Qualifier (Individual) Cross Country 2015 (First Qualifier from Americas High School)  ·    Recipient of the Americas Highschool Trailblazer Award (Rewarded to 10 students out of the class of over 500) Awarded to students who display a strong work ethic, perseverance, involved in various activates at school, as well as volunteer work. Chosen by the faculty and staff. ·    4 Time Dean’s List recipient for Academics at the University of Houston.  ·   Four time Indoor and Outdoor American Athletic Team Conference Champion. Contributed by scoring each year at conference in the 800m/ DMR (indoor only)/ and 4x4(2016). ·    U20 National Qualifier 800m (2016). ·    NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Regional Qualifier (2016, 2018)  ·    AAC 800m Indoor Runner -Up (2018)

Sprint Coach - Spencer Gibson

Coach Spencer Gibson has been part of the Track and Field and Cross Country communities here in The Woodlands for some time as his boys have gone through TWHS programs.  While Coach Spencer played just about every other sport growing up, his passion for running has grown and he’s been an active participant in our community helping with Friday Night Lights, Nike South, Nike Cross Regionals – South, and many Track and Field events.  He’s also is part of the Texas A&M Track and Field Officiating Association, and can often be found officiating home A&M events. 

Coach Spencer has a passion for helping youth achieve their goals.  With his son having the honor of being part of the Texas A&M Track and Field team, he’s seen what hard work and dedication can achieve.  While not everyone has that as a goal, everyone has a reason for doing “the work”.  This is what drives Coach Spencer…helping youth push themselves to be the best they can be.  He previously owned a martial arts school, coached many youth sports, and is an active CrossFit athlete.  Coach Spencer is also part of our Masters program, training for The Woodlands Marathon and then shorter races, such as the 5k and 1600m.

Coach Spencer is a graduate of Texas A&M University, and currently works in the Healthcare industry managing operations for Medical Imaging in the Houston market.  He is working towards his USATF Level 1 Certification.

Distance Coach - Michael Walters

"I have a passion for working with today’s youth.  I have served as a Youth Programs Director with many Youth Programs over the past 15 years.  My passion is to share my love of competition, and desire for excellence with dedicated youth in the running sports."

Michael excelled as a McCullough High School runner under Coach Dan Green.  He was the first finisher on the first UIL State Championship Cross-Country Team in Conroe Independent School District history, placing 11th overall.  He took the bronze medal in the UIL State Track & Field Championship in the 2-mile run, with a Personal and School record of 9:11. For these efforts he was inducted into “The Who’s Who of American High School Students”, “The American High School Athlete”, and “The Society of Distinguished American High School Students”.

"I use Mike as an example about every 3-4 months…a guy who was on JV his junior year in XC & track and then ends up being a state champ….determination, focus and commitment." Tony Brillon, Head Coach - Track and XC, Mayde Creek High School and former McCullough teammate.

Michael also excelled as a collegiate athlete earning a Full Athletic Scholarship to Houston Baptist University, where he earned the distinguished ranking of “All Conference” for three consecutive years. This was earned by finishing in the Top Ten in the TAC Conference Championships.

 Michael also excelled academically by earning the “Dean’s List” 8-times consecutively.  

Mike's Personal Best times below: 
1:50.2 – 800m run
3:00.3 – 1200m run
4:06.7 – Mile run
9:00.6 – 2-Mile run

Most recently, Coach Walters taught Marksmanship at The Woodlands High School JROTC program for 4 years.  He lead the Woodlands team to a 2nd place finish in the Air Force JROTC All Service Championships.

Distance Coach - Lizz Davidson

College: University of South Carolina 2019-2023

High School: The Woodlands High School

What got you into running?

"I used to play soccer, and I thought running would give me more endurance and allow me to excel in soccer. I was always smaller than my teammates, but I found that running allowed me to compete regardless of my physical size. I got to race against the clock, and not have to worry about a Coach deciding if I make the starting 11 player string for the game."

"I love being outside and I love competing. Running pushed me mentally and physically. My freshman year in high school, I was top 25 at The Woodlands High School. With hard work and the right training, I became the top runner for my high school during my junior year.  I qualified for Texas 6A State Championships every year in high school, qualified for Texas 6A Regionals in Track, and committed to the University of South Carolina."

Events and PRs:  "I ran the 400m (on the 4x400m relay), 800m, 1500m, and 3000m throughout high school and college. I ran 5ks and 6ks during cross country season. I hold The Woodlands High School record in the 3000m at 10:12, I also have a 5k PR of 17:59 and a mile PR of 5:04."

"Running has instilled a mental toughness in me and a gratitude that can’t be explained. I am excited to be a part of the TGR Coaching staff (at one point I was a TGR Athlete!). I love being around kids who are inspired by the same opportunities I was inspired by."

Beginners and Sunday Distance Coach - Mike Taylor

"I love to teach." - Mike Taylor

Mike got hooked on running in elementary school gym class in New Jersey and started competing in cross country and track and field for Tony Brillon at Knox Junior High School. From 1999 to 2003, he ran under Coach Dan Green at The Woodlands High School, setting personal records of 4:34.9 in the 1,600 and 9:52 in the 3,200.

"You win state championships with guys like Mike Taylor." - Coach Dan Green

While majoring in broadcast journalism at the University of Missouri, Mike entered half marathons and other road races, including the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in 2005, when he set a PR of 1:17:07.

He continues to compete in the Run Thru the Woods and other shorter races and won the Tavola Reindeer Run 5k in 2019, Allstate Hot Chocolate 5k in 2018 and MD Anderson Sprint for Life 5k in 2017 and 2018.

Mike used to work for Bleacher Report as well as The Woodlands Villager and Courier of Montgomery County newspapers and is now a freelance editor and writer.

All of our coaches are USATF members, Safe Sport certified, and background checked.

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