If one scrolled through Instagram, they could see Star Athletics commented “🥇🥇🥇🥇” in USATF’s Instagram post of the US team winning the 4x100m relay at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Sha’Carri Richardson anchored the team, holding off Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith in a dramatic finish. However, most people were surprised when Star Athletics posted the comment. It’s simply because Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Kayla White all train under the same coach, i.e., Dennis Mitchell, at Star Athletics in Florida. With all the glory for Team USA, Richardson revealed the secret formula for their success.

Standing gleefully in the mixed zone, a reporter questioned Team USA regarding their coach, Dennis Mitchell. Sha’Carri enthusiastically chose to answer that question. Pointing out spending a lot of time with Mitchell, Richardson said, “I would say his coaching style is something that all of us have never experienced before. Not just as a coach, um, but as a person. He teaches us as people, he teaches us as athletes, and he takes care of everything that you wouldn’t even think you need as an athlete, if that makes sense.”

Mitchell’s style is all about teaching sprinters to flow smoothly through each part of the race, run with clean, efficient form, and hold their top speed as long as possible. He also emphasizes the mental side – patience, confidence, and finishing strong when it matters most. Mitchell had a gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and a bronze in the 100m at the same Games. The accolades didn’t stop there. He also earned a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and claimed multiple World Championship medals, including gold in the 4x100m relay (1991, 1993) and bronze in the 100m (1991, 1993). He showcased his speed and consistency at the highest level. After retiring, Mitchell founded Star Athletics in 2009, where Richardson and Co. train to become the next world beaters.

“So, I give the utmost respect to Green Machine, to our coach Sheree, and they’re always creative. They come up with things that other coaches I know for sure, for sure, will never think of. And I’m thinking about fall training right now,” she added. The Green Machine is Dennis’ moniker. He would wear lime green unitards and lime green shoes. Furthermore, he would prepare for each race with a sort of karate maneuver on the track, which lent him a feeling of invincibility. Now that the World Athletics Championships are over, track and field will enter its offseason. Moreover, Richardson, who has not been at her very best this season, looks to improve her times and train even harder.

Sha’Carri Richardson concluded, “So, but no, they’re amazing coaches and they’re going to always set the bar high. That’s why any woman, any woman, any man that comes to this program is going to be superior every time.” Having provided the fans with two World Champions, Richardson-10.65s in 2023 and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden-10.61s in 2025, shows his credibility. Other world-class athletes train with these superwomen with Mitchell. The 200m silver medalist in World Championships and Olympics, the 100m US Champion, Kenny Bednarek, also trains at Star Athletics. If you want the old Sha’Carri back on track, keep calm and believe in Dennis Mitchell.