ABOUT ME
“An Olympian, former world-class sprinter and now championship winning head coach, Adrian Durant uses his skills as a coach to help others build the confidence and resolve necessary to achieve their dreams.”
Born on the tiny island of St. Croix, one of the US. Virgin Islands, Adrian grew up not knowing much about his family or about his past. Having been adopted at a young age after his mother’s untimely death, and not knowing his father, Adrian learned early on that life was not a fairy tale. In order to get anywhere, it would take more than just wishful thinking—it would take hard work and conviction. Encouraged by his stern adoptive grandmother and nurturing adoptive mother, Adrian formed childhood dreams of competing in the Olympic Games and committed his life to achieving that goal.
After moving to New Jersey and adjusting to a new surrounding, Adrian quickly became one of the faster members of the Teaneck High School track and field team, making the varsity team as a freshman.
After 4 years of a successful high school track and field career, he walked on to the University of South Carolina, where he had a breakout freshman year. Despite being a walk-on, Adrian became an SEC Champion, leading off the winning 4x400m relay. This earned him All-American status on the 4x400m relay, and a full scholarship.
In 2004, Adrian achieved his lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics, representing the US Virgin Islands in Athens, Greece. After a tumultuous collegiate career and a brief stint as a professional track and field athlete, Adrian transitioned into his career as a track coach, starting out at the high school level and eventually volunteering at the University of Illinois and Florida A & M University.
After a successful coaching career at FAMU, Adrian was hired at Cornell University in 2012 as the men’s and women’s sprint coach. Under his guidance, the Cornell sprints quickly improved, generating a number of conference champions and NCAA qualifiers, gaining widespread national recognition.
After 3 years as assistant coach, Adrian was promoted to the George E. Heekin Head Coach of Track & Field and Cross Country at Cornell University, making him the youngest head coach in the country at the time and one of the only Black head coaches in the Ivy League.
During his inaugural year as head coach, Cornell's men’s team won the 2016 Outdoor Ivy League Track and Field Championship, shattering the team point record at 211 points. This earned him the Ivy Men’s Track Coach of the Year and North East Region Men’s Coach of the Year accolades. During the summer of 2016, Adrian further solidified his legacy by coaching Cornell alumnus Bruno Hortelano into breaking the Spanish National records in the 100m (10.06), 200m(20.04), and winning the 200m at the European Championship.
Now, after a decade of helping student athletes achieve their dreams both on and off the track, Adrian is bringing his coaching and motivational skills to you. His goal now is to help you to build the confidence and resolve necessary to achieve your dreams and help you create your own path to success.
