Why Did USATF Get Rid of Women’s Relay Coach Mechelle Freeman After Three Straight 4 x 100 Gold Medals?…

Why Did USATF Get Rid of Women’s Relay Coach Mechelle Freeman After Three Straight 4 x 100 Gold Medals?…

 

In a move that surprised many in the track and field community, USA Track & Field (USATF) announced in late February 2025 that Mechelle Lewis Freeman would no longer serve as the national Women’s Relay Coach. This decision comes on the heels of her exceptional record: coaching three consecutive women’s 4×100 relay teams to gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the 2022 World Championships, and the 2023 Worlds .

Freeman officially announced her departure via social media on February 26, stating: “My time as the USATF Head Women’s Relays Coach has come to an end… To the athletes, keep making history and much love” . Her exit sparked speculation and concern: how could someone so successful be let go?

1. Performance was not the issue

Freeman’s record is among the most impressive in U.S. relay history. Under her leadership since 2015, U.S. women’s teams earned at least three Olympic golds and eight 4×100 medals overall, plus twelve medals in 4×400 relays . A Change.org petition, created in late February, emphasized “Team USA secured gold medals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2022 World Championships, and 2023 World Championships in the 4x100m relay” and accused USATF of removing “a coach with such a strong track record” .

2. Tensions behind the scenes

Despite the medals, Freeman’s tenure was marked by growing friction with athlete personal coaches and organizational staff. Veteran coach Mike Holloway described issues around communication and organizational conflict, stating, “There were communication issues, there were some organizational issues,” and adding that such tensions often result in departures—even when performance is strong .

Elite coaches reportedly raised concerns that Freeman, a Birmingham-area speed performance coach, lacked day-to-day oversight typical of college or professional programs. The dynamic between national relay coordination and athletes’ personal coaching camps proved contentious .

3. Disrespect from within?

Freeman later voiced heartfelt frustration. Through social media, she lamented: “The DISRESPECT I had to deal with behind closed doors…being called ‘stupid’ to your face…coaching the USA Relays for 9 years and you ‘aren’t a coach’” . Sports media reported her removal as a result of this simmering disrespect, fueled by comments from some relay insiders judging her credentials .

4. Shifting to new leadership

In the wake of Freeman’s departure, USATF tapped Darryl Woodson as the new relay head coach, signaling a fresh organizational approach aimed toward future success, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics . Despite this change, Freeman’s supporters—fans, athletes, and peers—have expressed disappointment and called for greater transparency.

Looking ahead

Freeman’s exit underscores a structural tension in elite US relay operations: balancing the expertise of personal coaches with national program continuity. It also raises broader questions around organizational culture and respect within USATF.

As Team USA prepares for World Championship and Olympic cycles, the real test lies ahead: can the new leadership sustain performance excellence while avoiding past pitfalls? And will USATF reckon with concerns about its support and treatment of minority coaches like Freeman?

Mechelle Freeman leaves behind a legacy of peak performance and raised questions that extend beyond the track: about athlete support systems, institutional respect, and how success is measured in elite sport. The coming months will reveal whether USATF will learn from her tenure—or lose momentum in its absence.