Kids have to be self-motivated, particularly in smaller schools because sometimes their competition in practice is somewhat limited. As a teacher, I try to teach them how to take corners and run hills and general overall conditioning. Tucker's methods can, at times, be slightly unorthodox. He doesn't care about his runner's times early in the season. In fact, he had no idea what his top runner's time was in Rushville's first meet.
Most coaches can at least give an estimated time on their fastest runner's finish.
For Tucker it isn't until late September that teaching gives way to positioning for larger meets. If a person is in the 50s at the mile mark and winds up 15th, they need to be more aggressive at the start. If they fall back after a mile, then they need to ease up early on. Staying away from time trials is something that his team appreciates. You're still working hard, but you're just trying to improve yourself.