- April 25, 2024
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Matanzas coach Danny Weed had left track and cross country, when he graduated from high school. Photos by Jeff Dawsey
Zach and Jodi Weed and Jan-Michael Albritton-Span Photo courtesy of Danny Weed
Weed says he left the track due to "life," but he' s glad he' s found his running shoes again. Photo courtesy
FPC' s Jaliah McCaskell Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Camden Givens placed fifth in the high jump but first in the triple jump. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
It had been 18 years since Danny Weed had run on a track. And, after taking in cross country runner Jan-Michael Albritton-Span to live with his family, Weed’s dream of becoming a coach fell into place.
Working as a dishwasher at Sonny’s BBQ, Albritton-Span developed a friendship with Weed’s wife, Jodi, who also worked there. Once she found out that he lived in an all-boys home — similar to the group homes he had lived throughout his life.
At the beginning of his senior year, the Weeds took in Albritton-Span, so he wouldn’t have to move out on his own.
“He lived with our family, and we treated him like he was one of our own,” Weed said. “Our sons called him brother and everything; he lived with us for two years.”
His dream found him
Taking in Albritton-Span not only benefited the youngster, who was able to focus on his running career in a stable home. It also opened a closed door that Weed had never expected to go through.
When cross country season began, Weed would go out and run with the team. He would eventually become a volunteer coach. Then, he became a paid assistant coach for two years. And, after a short stint with Flagler Palm Coast and coach
David Halliday, Weed was asked to return to Matanzas as the head cross country and track coach.
“It was a lifelong dream that just fell into my lap,” he said.
Since becoming head coach, Weed has been selected as the Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year (2013) and the Daytona Beach News-Journal Coach of the Year (2016). He led his boys track team to qualify at state in 2014 and girls in 2015 and 2016. And last year, he led both girls cross country and track teams to district championships. The cross country girls finished runner-up in their region.
Weed has also returned to his personal running on the track. In 2011, he qualified for the Boston Marathon on his first attempt. He calls that his biggest accomplishment since getting back into the sport.
