Team Shiffrin shakes up coaching staff ahead of Olympic Games

Photo courtesy of U.S Ski & Snowboard.

For Mikaela Shiffrin and her tight-knit group of coaches and support staff, there’s apparently no time like the present to make a change. Less than three weeks ahead of the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Shiffrin has relieved longtime coach and trainer Jeff Lackie, who will not return to Europe after a bout with Covid in his home country of Canada.

According to Lackie, who spoke with Ski Racing Media on Monday, the dismissal was the result of a protracted case of Covid he acquired after traveling to his home in Toronto. Lackie, who served as Shiffrin’s coach and trainer for six years, had returned to Canada while Shiffrin herself was quarantining and recovering from the virus. His role within Team Shiffrin was focused on strength and conditioning as well as the speed disciplines. 

“It’s important that Mikaela has a team around her that’s going to be able to provide what she needs, especially in the lead-up to something as stressful as the Olympic Games,” said Lackie. “So, the decision was made to replace me, and I’m incredibly proud of what I was able to accomplish with Mikaela over the past six years.”

Jesse Hunt, alpine director for the U.S. Ski Team, also confirmed the change, saying, “Given the ongoing Covid challenges, and with Jeff being back in Canada for a few weeks now, it’s been decided that he will not return to Team Shiffrin leading up to Beijing.”

Lackie has been loosely replaced on the staff by Coley Oliver, who previously worked with the now-defunct Team X — an independent women’s race team based out of Park City. More recently, Oliver served as a coach with the U.S. women’s Europa Cup program.

In the immediate future and at the Olympics, Hunt says Shiffrin will work closely with the U.S. women’s speed staff in preparation for those events. 

“Mikaela has been crossing over into speed and working with the women’s speed coaches for a number of years now,” said Hunt. “She is confident in the speed staff and enjoys working with them. … Coley will join and support the team where he is needed.”

Shiffrin’s staff also includes her personal head coach, Mike Day, as well as her mother, Eileen Shiffrin. 

“I’m proud to say we developed an all-around skier who was highly competitive in all events,” said Lackie of his now-former athlete. “She still has a lot more to accomplish. I wish her and the team the best of luck and hope things go well in China.”

In 2021, Lackie received the Doc Counsilman Science Award from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

“Lackie’s application of science in virtually every facet of training programs and daily life is an example for all teams,” reads a statement from the USOPC. “Lackie applies scientific principles to many areas that have not typically been informed by data, including the dissection of video to motion analysis and running mathematical probabilities to help inform competition schedule planning.

“Through the COVID-19 pandemic, he has engaged with outside sports organizations to learn and share best practices while he is actively involved in the USOPC’s National Team Coaches Leadership Education Program, contributing to the long-term success of Team USA,” the statement goes on to say.

Lackie has been reassigned to the U.S. Ski Team’s Europa Cup program, reports Hunt.

“Jeff did a tremendous job with Team Shiffrin,” said Hunt. “He will be an asset wherever he is coaching.”