Testimonials
Shanieka (Thomas) Ricketts
"I had the privilege of working with Carjay Lyles during my college career. He is a dedicated, skilled, and passionate individual who takes pride in his work. His experiences as a former athlete makes him relatable and understanding. I also liked the fact that he was flexible, in regards to tailoring programs to suit my needs as an athlet
"I had the privilege of working with Carjay Lyles during my college career. He is a dedicated, skilled, and passionate individual who takes pride in his work. His experiences as a former athlete makes him relatable and understanding. I also liked the fact that he was flexible, in regards to tailoring programs to suit my needs as an athlete who was injury prone. His interpersonal skills are also a plus, as he provides a healthy working environment where athletes are comfortable to be themselves at all times. My personal best in the triple jump was 12.29m, and by my junior year in college I improved to 14.15m. I also won 3 NCAA titles in the triple jump and multiple conference titles under his guidance."
Alex Evans
"Coach Carjay is a phenomenal coach! Not only does he know the technicalities of sprints hurdles and jumps, he's also super down to earth. He connects to his athletes on a personal level that allows for them to learn, work hard, and hit their marks when the time is right! He won't burn you out and will be transparent about every detail o
"Coach Carjay is a phenomenal coach! Not only does he know the technicalities of sprints hurdles and jumps, he's also super down to earth. He connects to his athletes on a personal level that allows for them to learn, work hard, and hit their marks when the time is right! He won't burn you out and will be transparent about every detail of your progress. I most definitely recommend coach Carjay to any athlete looking to make big improvements not only athletically, but mentally and spiritually as well."
RoseaLee Cooper
Cameron Crump Jr.
Cameron Crump Jr.
My journey with Coach Carjay started in the middle of my freshman year heading into outdoors. From then he’s been a very important person in my life. Our bond is something I will cherish forever and I’m grateful to have had him in my life to guide and coach me. Through his guidance and coaching I have achieved a lot of things both persona
My journey with Coach Carjay started in the middle of my freshman year heading into outdoors. From then he’s been a very important person in my life. Our bond is something I will cherish forever and I’m grateful to have had him in my life to guide and coach me. Through his guidance and coaching I have achieved a lot of things both personally and athletically. He is one those genuine coaches that cares for you all around and not just what you can do for him as an athlete. He talks his ishh but that’s because he knows what he’s doing and can do it very well. He’s also the kind of coach you can voice your issues to, run jokes with and get advice from. I wouldn’t trade him for any coach I am and forever will be grateful for him in my life. He stuck with me during my injuries and even times when I wasn’t confident. Whatever you are looking for in a coach, coach Carjay can be that. He’s a good man Savannah! ( look it up TikTok)
Cameron Crump Jr.
Cameron Crump Jr.
Cameron Crump Jr.
"Coach Carjay started coaching me duirng my sophomore year. Together we improved over 1-meter in a year. I saw myself become a better athlete and develop ito one of the best Long Jumpers in the world with Coach Carjay. He has a way off teaching that allows each athlete to develop In their own way that helped me become a champion. I bec
"Coach Carjay started coaching me duirng my sophomore year. Together we improved over 1-meter in a year. I saw myself become a better athlete and develop ito one of the best Long Jumpers in the world with Coach Carjay. He has a way off teaching that allows each athlete to develop In their own way that helped me become a champion. I became a SEC record holder and champion- knowing how many GREAT jumpers came before me, it was a honor to become the best. Coach Carjay had a plan for all of my years of training at Mississippi State that allowed me to get better each year! I saw my teammates and I become champions and defy odds on and off the track. I always felt prepared and ready when we competed and I know that great things are in my future because I had my foundation with Coach Carjay.
Valerie Thames
Kahmari Montgomery
Kahmari Montgomery
"Coach Carjay AKA Jesus Junior AKA “get out the Car, Jay. Wow, where to start when it comes to how life changing he is? Coach Carjay has not only impacted my life as my coach but also as a mentor. When I transferred into the SEC from the SWAC, I had no idea how difficult it would be for me. My first year as a student under Coach Carjay’s
"Coach Carjay AKA Jesus Junior AKA “get out the Car, Jay. Wow, where to start when it comes to how life changing he is? Coach Carjay has not only impacted my life as my coach but also as a mentor. When I transferred into the SEC from the SWAC, I had no idea how difficult it would be for me. My first year as a student under Coach Carjay’s guidance, I performed the worst I had ever performed in my collegiate career. I came last in every race, and yet Coach Carjay still saw my potential. It’s a blessing when God puts people in your life who sees your worth and potential before you do. Every PR I set and every record I broke, Coach Carjay spoke over me before it came to fruition. As a black woman, who came from a predominantly black community as well as an HBCU, I had no idea how coming to Missouri would impact my mental health and my sense of self. I had been put in positions where I had to prove I belonged and that I was deserving of the opportunities that were placed in front of me, and every step of the way there was Coach Carjay telling me that I deserved that shit, that I had earned it, and that no one had the right to take it from me. Five to six sentences isn’t enough to fully share how powerful Coach Carjay is. But if you search his name in the dictionary here are a few synonyms that you would find: incomparable, unparalleled, revolutionary, GOAT *insert Kanye Shrug*"
Kahmari Montgomery
Kahmari Montgomery
Kahmari Montgomery
Where do I begin? The most important day of my life when Coach Carjay would come to football games my junior year. Since then, I knew choosing him as a coach was the right move. The moment I stepped on campus was the moment I reconsidered track (In a good way). Coach Carjay would have us do workouts that no human would even think to comp
Where do I begin? The most important day of my life when Coach Carjay would come to football games my junior year. Since then, I knew choosing him as a coach was the right move. The moment I stepped on campus was the moment I reconsidered track (In a good way). Coach Carjay would have us do workouts that no human would even think to complete. From running hard in the drenching rain, to keeping warm inside of his jeep between reps in the winter. Regardless, YOU BETTER GET IT DONE! He helped me grow as a man and as an athlete. This man changed my life dramatically. We used to question 'What the hell does he have us doing and why'? We did workouts that made me question a lot of times if I could do them! The repeat 200's on the grass, uphill runs for hours, pool workouts at 5:00 am everything made us better. Coach Carjay would tell us our workout 3 minutes before it actually started, and we grew to mentally be ready at all times! On and Off the track, he was best friend, a mentor, and a father away from home. He coached me to winning the SEC championships as a freshman indoors and outdoors! Dedicated to him, I've continued to better myself. My sophomore year was a waste, we as a unit (coach and athlete) were dealing with a lot. From Racism, discrimination, and other situations that took our minds off the track. When he left and I decided to transfer- his support of my decision to got to The University of Houston helped me continue to succeed with new coaches. As a young kid from Chicago, I owe the start of my college success to Coach Carjay. When he left, we all left. I finished my career as an NCAA CHAMPION. During the video of my race, right after I won, the camera shows me pointing to someone in the stands. I was pointing directly at COACH FREAKING CARAY. Thank You Coach for everything you have done for me. From the late night calls to 5am weights, I wouldn't change or take it back. As a man, you have done so much for me. I love this man to death and thank him for turning me into the athlete he told me and knew I could be. K-MO!
Jacqueline 'Jackie' Coward
LaQuisha Jackson (written in spoken word prose)
LaQuisha Jackson (written in spoken word prose)
In life, we endeavor to find success in our various crafts/ careers, but we cannot do this alone. Along the journey, we are granted with the opportunity to work alongside others that bring out the best in us, and push us to surpass our goals and manifest our dreams. As a U.S Olympic Trials finalist, NCAA All- American, and High School Sta
In life, we endeavor to find success in our various crafts/ careers, but we cannot do this alone. Along the journey, we are granted with the opportunity to work alongside others that bring out the best in us, and push us to surpass our goals and manifest our dreams. As a U.S Olympic Trials finalist, NCAA All- American, and High School State Champion with several records at the time, I could not have amassed such success without my humble beginnings and strong foundations. My career path has been and still is track and field, but just like most little kids you can never forget that coach who offered guidance that propelled you forward. Carjay Lyles is one of those special coaches. As one of my primary AAU coaches, he focused on guiding me in proper biomechanics, effective starts, and step precisions which were all crucial for running the 100 meter hurdles. In doing so I was not only able to break the national high school record once again, but I also realized that when dedicating myself to my craft, I can achieve anything. Carjay Lyles is a coach that will walk the journey with his athletes, and make sure that the vision of success has the right plan behind it. His training methods are straight to the point and beneficial, but I will also say it is his mindset and family oriented approach that pulls out your very best. So in life as we endeavor to find success in our various crafts/ careers, make sure to always be around those that sincerely want your dreams as bad as you do. Carjay Lyles is that type of coach, mentor, and friend.
LaQuisha Jackson (written in spoken word prose)
LaQuisha Jackson (written in spoken word prose)
LaQuisha Jackson (written in spoken word prose)
Coach Carjay
His spirit has always been aligned with his belief that he will never drift away.
From when he recruited me to San Diego State he had a plan that would position me to run
Yes, in the 2016 Olympic Trials
Freshman year, we won Mountain West Conference and with 2 individual races I was crowned Champion
The decision was made that C
Coach Carjay
His spirit has always been aligned with his belief that he will never drift away.
From when he recruited me to San Diego State he had a plan that would position me to run
Yes, in the 2016 Olympic Trials
Freshman year, we won Mountain West Conference and with 2 individual races I was crowned Champion
The decision was made that Coach was leaving
even after we just made history
My heart couldn’t find the words to express itself
He told me to stay and if I was thinking about leaving,
That I should make sure I prayed.
I did that............
I knew that his coaching was different....
Made that decision myself
Even though, I was released from the school, I wasn’t granted the freedom to follow the coach who recruited me
I was forced to go back to what I had known as:
POVERTY
Instead of running my Sophomore year, I was
Surviving....Trying to make ends meet.
Track & Field was my escape and that was gone
but positioning myself with the right coach has always been my belief.
A decision made because of someone else fell back on me
I experienced a rough patch my freshman year
He made sure I stayed focused and trusted the process
After praying I decided to follow him to Mizzou
It was a big difference in how you treated your athletes and how we saw treated you-But we never saw you fold.
Being able to adjust to a different environment
recruiting the best athletes has always been spoken in truth
Through it all, you made sure your athletes were comfortable.
Vocalize and manifest blessings in my life
Things would fall into place once I trust myself and believed that I would make it
With your help, I went to the Olympic Trials, set 6 school records, made SEC finals, and Nationals consecutive years.
Thanks to you, I've overcome many of my fears.
I'm chasing my dreams and daily I'm reminded of how strong I am.
You showed me it was ok to recognize that within myself.
I'm Grateful and I'm appreciative
Taron Slone
LaQuisha Jackson (written in spoken word prose)
Taron Slone
Coach Carjay took my sprinting and team to the next level. He built a personal relationship with each one of us and knew what we needed to excel in Track and Field. Coach put my body through workouts I had never done before. I was not for it at the beginning of our coach/athlete relationship. At the 2018 indoor MAC championships, Coach
Coach Carjay took my sprinting and team to the next level. He built a personal relationship with each one of us and knew what we needed to excel in Track and Field. Coach put my body through workouts I had never done before. I was not for it at the beginning of our coach/athlete relationship. At the 2018 indoor MAC championships, Coach Carjay told me I was going to upset the field in the 60 meter dash, a race I had no business being in the final of. He was right... I was runner-up with a HUGE pr. At that moment, I said to myself 'This dude knows what he is doing, all I have to do is trust the process'. As the outdoor season came not only did Coach Carjay teach us on the track but also taught us how to take care of our body to perform the best we could. Not only on the track but in everyday life. My outdoor season with Coach Carjay was the best season of sprinting I have ever had. The back half of my season, I ran a personal best in every 200 meter race I ran and Coach would predict and tell me the time before I ran it every time. With building that relationship with each athlete and training us on our individual needs, he knew us as runners and put us in situations to get better each day. In a short 9 months of training with Coach Carjay my personal best in the 200 meters went from 21.30 to 20.65. I could only imagine a full training year with him. Coach Carjay Lyles is the reason my sprinting went to the next level.
-Taron Slone BLM✊🏾
Milton Greer
Amy (Brown) Halloran
Margaux Jones
Coach Carjay, for me, was much more than a coach. I remember the first time I met coach in my junior year at The University of Akron; I was recently told he was named new sprints coach. However, Track & Field wasn't the first thing he taught me. He spoke first of good character. Things like patience, courage, humility, and creativity.
Coach Carjay, for me, was much more than a coach. I remember the first time I met coach in my junior year at The University of Akron; I was recently told he was named new sprints coach. However, Track & Field wasn't the first thing he taught me. He spoke first of good character. Things like patience, courage, humility, and creativity. More importantly he was all about respect and doing the right things all of the time. Coach Carjay showed me how to enjoy what I love, and how to do it at a high level. (You know the real grind). Coach always had a great sense of balance about him, which made him so versatile. I've never seen anyone multitask like him honestly. He taught me the importance of mastering my craft both on and off the track. Breaking down sprint mechanics and weight lifting mechanics to a science. One thing about coach is, he always believed in his athletes. If we had any doubts whatsoever, he was able to transfer that into belief and get you where you needed to be. Coach showed incredible synergy being able to come into a program and lift everyone in the group, we ran Personal records every meet! He showed me how to have a relentless appetite for my goals and desires. Even though my time with coach as an athlete was short I'm forever grateful have met Coach Carjay. To this day he gives leadership and guidance to me in lifestyle and business. He is a Goliath of a coach, a stand-up guy and without a doubt the best coach I've ever had.
Thank You Coach!
Margaux Jones
Amy (Brown) Halloran
Margaux Jones
What I loved most about working with Coach Carjay is that he took the time to not only
understand me as an athlete, but also as a person. We started working together during my
senior year and what I had planned to also be my final year of track. He caught me at a difficult
time in my life, I had just come off of an injury the year prior and
What I loved most about working with Coach Carjay is that he took the time to not only
understand me as an athlete, but also as a person. We started working together during my
senior year and what I had planned to also be my final year of track. He caught me at a difficult
time in my life, I had just come off of an injury the year prior and my senior year was a stressful
time as I was planning for a future after track. He was able to hone in on the specific things that
I needed to work on and we even though it was a short time we worked together, I felt as
though he immediately already understood what type of athlete I was. He helped me to gain
back the confidence I had lost because of my injury and I was able to come back in my final
season and match my PR, which I hadn’t been able to do for a few years. Through trial and error
he never gave up on me and constantly pushed me to not only be a better athlete, but also a
better person. I could have not asked for a better coaching experience to cap off the final
season of my track and field career.
-Margaux Jones, 2018-2019
Amy (Brown) Halloran
Amy (Brown) Halloran
Amy (Brown) Halloran
To my dear American Coach,
As soon as he joined our college I wanted him to be my coach instantly. I had to jump thru a few hoops but I finally got there! Thank You for always believing in me- even when I gave you every reason not to (and introducing me to Monica's music!). I'm still fighting the fight and chasing the dream! #coachcarjay #sdsu