Veteran throws coach Julian Robinson has been appointed head coach of Calabar High School, replacing Corey Bennett, whose three-year contract was not renewed at the end of his tenure. The announcement was made on Wednesday, signalling a significant leadership transition at one of Jamaica’s premier high school track and field programmes.
Bennett, who took over in 2021, led Calabar to a second-place finish at the 2024 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships, steadily rebuilding the team and narrowing the gap on rivals Kingston College. With his departure, Calabar has turned to one of its longest-serving and most successful coaches to take the reins.
Robinson, who has served as Calabar’s throws coach for more than 20 years, confirmed he has signed a contract to lead the school’s overall track and field programme. With Calabar showing signs of resurgence, Robinson’s first order of business is clear.
“My most urgent task is to stabilize, instill confidence in the young men who are sprinting. I think that is the most urgent thing. Otherwise, all the areas remain the same,” he told Sportsmax.TV.
Robinson brings world-class credentials to the role. He is the long-time coach of Fedrick Dacres, the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and 2019 World Championship silver medallist in the discus, and Traves Smikle, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, World Championships finalist, and one of Jamaica’s most consistent performers in the throws. Both Dacres and Smikle are five-time national champions, a testament to Robinson’s sustained success on the local and international stage.
In addition to his high school coaching duties, Robinson has also served as throws coach for Jamaica’s national team at the World Championships and Olympic Games, providing elite technical guidance to the country’s top field athletes.
Now, he finds himself at the centre of one of Jamaica’s most demanding and high-profile school programmes. But Robinson remains focused.
“There are a lot of people who say, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, Julian,’ who will crucify me next year if I do not do well. I know the type of people that I’m dealing with and I’m going to do my best. I will let the chips fall where they may. I intend to be strategic. And when I do that, I hope for the best.”
While the responsibilities have grown, Robinson says he’s surrounded by a strong team and supportive structure.
“Obviously, there are going to be more demands, but the demands are mainly administrative and strategizing. And I have a good team around me. I have people who want to help me, so it’s great. The demand has increased but I am not alone. I have a team and the team is experienced. I also have my own ideas and I have a plan and I feel like if I do my research I should be able to organize a good team.”
That “plan,” is at the core of Robinson’s approach, especially as the team navigates the post-Bennett transition.
“There is some amount of instability in the team because of the separation; some youngsters may want to go elsewhere and they’re free to do that. But I have a plan and I think I have a good coaching staff,” said Robinson, who met with the track team Wednesday evening.
That coaching staff includes Marlon Gayle, Danny Hawthorne, Christopher Harley and Errol Messias. Robinson acknowledged that the only major absence is former head coach Corey Bennett, who he praised for his work.
“Coach Bennett did an excellent job, he’s an excellent coach,” the veteran coach declared.
Robinson also addressed questions surrounding Omar Hawes, a former Calabar High assistant coach who worked under the now-retired Michael Clarke and who some pundits had tipped for the head coaching position.
“If Omar is desirous of coming in the programme, I’ll find a space for him because he’s a Calabar old boy,” Robinson said. “I started out by volunteering, asking Coach Michael Clarke to allow me to coach the throws… and if Omar is interested, then I’m interested in giving him an opportunity.”
As the new season approaches, Robinson is well aware of the expectations but remains committed to staying grounded and focused.
“I have a plan,” he said. “And I intend to stick to it.”
