Billy Mills and his Coach - Reflection

The relationship between Billy Mills and his coach Bill Easton carries a sense of friction and distrust all throughout the movie. At first, the coach feels as if Mills is not worthy of representing Kansas University, insulting his heritage by saying that “all Indian boys are quitters’. It also seems that Easton only accepts Billy into his running team on the condition that Mills run exactly as the coach says. It is apparent that the style and grace which distinguished Billy as a runner at the start of the movie is replaced with calculative sprinting patterns and a marked, serious face. Later, this change is highlighted by Billy himself, as he narrates one of his letters to his sister saying: “I seem to have lost my love for running, now I am just a machine…”

          Although Coach Easton’s techniques physically helped Billy in his performance, one can infer that the emotional toll that also comes with that type of training has a great impact on Billy’s internal (and external) journey. It can be said that the selfish and demanding tone with which Easton communicates with Billy does not help to carry the coach’s message. From the beginning of the movie, the coach’s attitude only serves to push Billy away, somewhat foreshadowing the runner’s decision abruptly to quit the team and return home after his graduation. It is also clear that the coach’s abuse had an impact on Mills’ personal life; since Billy does not stop to contemplate that he is also leaving his wife behind.

            While the coach’s actions did have a continuous negative effect on Billy, they only left a temporary mark on Billy’s consciousness when compared to something as big as Frank’s suicide. Also, the pessimistic point view of Easton helped strengthen Billy’s resolve by motivating him to prove his coach wrong.  In the final race in the Olympics, the coach is presented throughout the entire race rooting for his former runner. This scene is enforced by the reunion and of these characters and their unexpected and respectful reconciliation. In conclusion, it is evident that Coach Easton only wanted to bring out the best in Billy, although his methods did not always express his positive intention.