Pete Julian is not a new name in the track and field sporting community. He has been a coach since 2005 and began working with Nike in 2012, where he became a significant part of their Oregon Project. However, this coach is now ready to move forward and step into a bigger role, cutting exclusive ties with Nike for his next huge goal.
In an Instagram post, Julian shares: “I wanted to share some exciting updates. I’m no longer an exclusive coach with Nike, and it’s all good! My time with Nike was an incredible journey, filled with amazing relationships and unforgettable experiences, but it was the right time to move forward.”
He added: “The best part? I now have the freedom to coach athletes from any brand, which is truly exciting and what I wanted. I’m a coach.”
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Moreover, the Union Athletics Club, or “Pete’s Dragons”, has a new base in Boulder, Colorado. Julian said: “We’ll continue as the Union Athletics Club—it feels more fitting than ever. Of course, if you prefer calling us “Pete’s Dragons,” I’m cool with that too!… Oh, and here’s the cherry on top: we’re now based in beautiful Boulder. The future is looking bright, and I’m ready for it! Peace.”
For Julian, this move is not closing doors on what Nike represents, but an opportunity to have more possibilities for athletes.
Pete Julian’s legacy with Nike
Pete Julian truly helped athletes achieve their goals in the sports industry. His mentees include successful athletes like Donavan Brazier, Suguru Osako, Shannon Rowbury, Konstanze Klosterhalfen, Jessica Hull, Alexa Efraimson, Charlie Hunter, and Jordan Hasay.
At the World Championship, Donavan Brazier, who is no longer a member of the Union Athletics Club, had a memorable 800-metre run and also set the new American record. Suguru Osako also broke the Japanese marathon record in 2020 at the Tokyo Marathon.
Furthermore, the Australian long-distance and middle-distance runner Jessica Hull has made history under Julian’s assistance. In 2019, Hull became a professional and signed a contract with Nike. She has now broken the Australian 5000-metre mark at the Monaco Diamond League and set the Oceanian indoor 1500-metre record in Boston. Hull even succeeded in setting the Oceanian mile record in 2023. She broke the world record for the 2000m and achieved her silver medal in the 1500m category at the Paris Olympics.
Source: EssentiallySports