Working with the hurdlers, Les Berman has over 41 years of coaching experience. He has served as an individual trainer for the last 20 years and spent 33 years as the co-head coach for the Nike Coast Track and Field Team (1964-97), where he developed many Olympic, International and National caliber track and field athletes. From 1977-80, Berman was the head track and field and cross country coach at Cal State Long Beach, as well as teaching in the physical education department. As a classroom instructor, Berman taught math and independent studies at Cerritos High School from 1999-2007.

Berman’s credentials also include serving as the USA International Women’s Coach at the World Indoor Championships in Spain in 1991, Europe and Russia in 1976 and in 1972 he was an assistant coach. He’s also served as a member of several National Women’s Track and Field committees and was a technical administrator for the javelin at the U.S. Olympic Development Training Camp at the 1974 Olympic Clinics in Colorado.

A graduate of Bellflower High, Berman, 77, competed on the basketball, gymnastics and track and field teams. He went on to earn a Master’s of Education degree from Pepperdine in 1975 and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Cal State Long Beach in 1970.